Eddie Howe drops Bruno Guimaraes Newcastle United selection hint

Eddie Howe has hinted Newcastle United fans will have to wait a little bit longer to see record signing Bruno Guimaraes make his Magpies debut.

The £40million January signing has played just two minutes plus stoppage time in his two Premier League cameos so far.

And while Howe says starts are on the way, the form of his current midfield three - Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton - makes it a tough call to throw him in yet.

‘Bruno will start a lot of games for us’

Howe said: “It is a really strong area, probably our strongest area in terms of personnel. And I include Sean Longstaff in that.

“Every player would have an argument to say they should start. Long may that continue.

“Bruno will start a lot of games for us and will be a huge player. I don’t think this period where he’s watching and learning from the Premier League is a bad thing for him although it will frustrate him because he wants to show his talent.

“There will be plenty of games to do that, particularly with our fixture list on the horizon.”

With West Ham and the London Stadium on the horizon, and Howe likely to go with the status quo in the middle at least, will fans get more of glimpse of Bruno in the capital?

‘He’s going to play a lot of games for this football club’

“Difficult to predict. Yes, hopefully,” he said.

“I’m keen to see him like everyone else is but it has to be at the right time. It has to be when the team needs him.

“He’s going to play a lot of games for this football club and he’s going to play a lot of games this season.

“At the moment, the midfield has worked incredibly well the last three games. I’m reluctant to make too many changes to the team when we’re in a really good flow but Bruno in training has already shown how good he is and what he’s going to bring to the team.”