Bruno Guimaraes injury concern as Newcastle United winter break plans confirmed

Bruno Guimaraes has sparked injury fears after the Newcastle United star appeared to pick up a hamstring issue during the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday evening.

The Magpies were leading 2-1 after goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon cancelled out Bernardo Silva's opener when Guimaraes was spotted holding the back of his leg mid-way through the second-half.

Eddie Howe sent Jamaal Lascelles to warm up and readied the club's skipper for action. The Brazilian, however, after being told to go to ground by United's physio, signalled to carry on and completed the full 90 minutes as Kevin de Bruyne and Oscar Bobb handed Man City a late win.

However, the Guimaraes injury tale didn't end there. As detailed by The Athletic, the 26-year-old was walking gingerly towards the St James' Park exit and when asked how his hamstring was, the midfielder moved his hand side-to-side, signalling a 'I don't know' gesture.

That might come as a concern to Newcastle but it suggests the Premier League winter break has come at ideal time in hope of getting back players from injury and up to full speed.

The United squad has been granted some time off this week before the focus turns to the FA Cup fourth round tie away on Fulham on Saturday, January 30. Three days later sees Newcastle travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

"We're going to give the players some time away," revealed Howe. "We're not going away as a team, we're going to give them some time with their families. They've had a very intense period so I think it'll be nice for the players to switch off for a few days.

"The players have done an incredible amount of travelling and they've been in consistent football mode. They need a period where they can switch off from that."

Newcastle were without 11 senior players for the clash against City which forced Howe - and not for the first time this season - to name a depleted bench consisting of two goalkeepers, two youngsters and four defenders with Matt Ritchie, who last started a Premier League game in December 2021, the only recognised attacking option.

Howe felt his options were unable to impact the game as City began to take control and expressed the need to get players back from the treatment room.

Jacob Murphy and Callum Wilson are expected to return after the short break while the likes of Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock will have hopefully stepped up their recoveries.