Newcastle United respond to Bruno Guimaraes injury ‘concern’ ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash

Eddie Howe insists there are no issues with Bruno Guimaraes after the Newcastle United star recently admitted to nursing an ankle problem.

The Brazilian was among a number of players to experience an off-day in last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa, though his Brentford post-match admission seven days earlier left fans concerned about his current fitness.

Guimaraes was “not happy” at rolling his ankle in the warm-up ahead of the 2-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium, however managed to get through the full 90 minutes.

The 25-year-old has been suffering from ankle problems since being forced to withdraw at half-time against Fulham back in January.

Speaking after Brentford, Guimaraes said: “In the warm-up I twisted my ankle so now I get some time to rest. I need to get some rest and see at the end of the season what we can do but I am not happy with my ankle.

“I got some pills but the first half was very tough for me,” he admitted. “[Second half], I think I improved my game and helped my teammates to get the result.”

Ahead of facing Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League top four clash on Sunday, Howe has allayed fears that Guimaraes isn’t in the right condition to play.

“Bruno’s ankle is fine,” said Howe. “He is training well, normally, he is not missing training, he is not covering a problem and there are no issues with his fitness.”

Meanwhile, Howe is hoping for an immediate response from his side following their heaviest defeat of the campaign last weekend.

“It was an uncharacteristic performance from us,” said Howe. “This season we’ve been so consistent, home and away, and we’ve not always won the games but we’ve had certain hallmarks within the team and the performances where you go ‘that’s Newcastle this season’.

“It was probably the first time we didn’t deliver those hallmarks that brought us all the success we’ve had, so maybe it’s a good time to regroup and refocus all our energies on our performance with some key games to come.”

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