‘He is fine’: Eddie Howe says 25-year-old Newcastle player is fit to play vs Bournemouth

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has shared a squad update ahead of his side’s EFL Cup clash against Bournemouth tomorrow.

Taking to his pre-match press conference, the Magpies boss revealed Bruno Guimaraes had returned from the World Cup fit and ready for selection.

“Their dream was to win the tournament, but he’s focused now on Newcastle and that’s very important for all the players, to put all that behind them and take what positives they can,” he said.

“Bruno is fine physically. He’s obviously disappointed to not reach the latter stages of the World Cup with his country.”

Howe added he can get back to his best form in England: “That’s all he can do, continue his form from earlier in the season.

“For me, he has been outstanding for us. He had a small injury at the start of the season, but once he got his fitness back, he has been incredible.

“I hope we get to see the same Bruno come back because he is a massive presence in our team.”

Guimaraes fit to play against Bournemouth

The World Cup did not go the way Guimaraes would have hoped for when setting out on the plane to Qatar.

The 25-year-old only grace the pitch in two matches – both off the bench in the group stage. Disappointingly, the midfielder failed to feature against South Korea in the round of 16 and against Croatia in the quarter-finals.

Despite this, he all can do now is focus on football with Newcastle.

The Toon currently sit third in the Premier League table, with the opportunity to make a realistic push for Champions League qualification.

Furthermore, the Magpies still have the chance to win silverware. This has been a long-time coming for the Tyneside club, so the side’s best players need to be fully focused on the task at hand.

Guimaraes returning from the World Cup fit and healthy will have come as a major boost to Howe and his squad selection.