'Difficult' - Eddie Howe addresses Bruno Guimaraes concern ahead of Newcastle United vs Brighton

Eddie Howe has responded to concerns surrounding Bruno Guimaraes’ recent performances for Newcastle United.

After starring for Newcastle during their recent nine-game winning run, the Brazilian’s form has dipped of late, which attracted strong words from former defender and BBC Radio Newcastle commentator John Anderson after Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The 27-year-old has missed just two matches for Newcastle in the last two seasons - both due to suspension, as well as receiving regular call ups to the Brazil national team.

When asked if tiredness or the loss of Joelinton to injury has been a factor, Howe said: “Tiredness is a difficult one for me to measure. Only Bruno can truly do that but he has had a very, very busy schedule.

“If you look, for a long, long time now, he has been playing regularly every week or every two or three days. He has always been there for us. That is the stand-out thing with Bruno, he has never shied away, he wants to play every game, every minute of every game. He has a great passion for the game.

“His international schedule is also full and a lot of travelling within that so we need to protect our players at all times and he is such a special talent.

“Of course, there is another element. The team has missed Joelinton with the qualities he possesses. He is unlike anyone else. I am not talking individually about Bruno here, I am talking about the team so Jo will be very welcome.”

Newcastle host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Guimaraes came on at half-time in the third round win over Bromley before playing the first half in the win at Birmingham City in the next round.

Asked if the midfielder needs a rest, Howe replied: “It’s difficult because I’m sure if you asked Bruno, he would say he doesn’t need a rest. It is up to us to look at his schedule and try and find ways to do that.

“We have tried, but he’s such an important player we have turned to him more often than we would ideally want to because of his strengths and qualities. For example, in the FA Cup, we gave him 45 minutes in the last round and share that burden with Sandro.

“His schedule is intense. As soon as we have played the Carabao Cup final, he will be off to play for his national team and that will be when others are getting that rest and recuperation. He won’t get that but that’s part of being a top player, the benefits of being a top player that he is.

“But it comes at a cost at times and we have to make sure we protect him.

“He’s in the middle of everything really, he is behind a lot of our good play still. He is an outstanding player and will continue to be. We just need to help him in those moments where we can keep him fresh and get him to his best levels.