Newcastle United could have Bruno Guimaraes available for tonight’s Premier League clash at Crystal Palace (kick-off 5:30pm).
The Brazilian picked up an ankle injury during last Sunday’s 1-0 win over Fulham and left the pitch in tears at half-time.
Guimaraes did not re-emerge for the second half and was pictured after the match on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
However, after positive scan results, the 24-year-old could feature at Selhurst Park after travelling with his teammmates to South London.
A win against Patrick Vieira’s Palace will see United open up an eight-point gap on fifth place Tottenham Hotspur.
"They’re a very good team,” Howe said on Palace. “The two games we’ve had against them have been very tight although we’ve probably had the better chances in the first game, the league game, which we didn’t take.
“The Carabao Cup could have gone either way so now we travel to their ground and that’s always a tough place to go to. It’ll be a good atmosphere and we go there in good form but we don’t underestimate the challenge.
“Patrick’s a very good manager and they have got some very dangerous players."
Here’s the Newcastle United starting XI we’re predicting Howe to name:
1. GK: Nick Pope
A clean sheet at Selhurst Park would be Pope’s ninth in a row. Last conceded a goal in the 4-1 win at Southampton in November.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Picked up a nasty cut on his right foot during the win against Fulham but will be keen to play versus Palace.
3. CB: Fabian Schar
Newcastle haven’t lost when Schar has started a game this season. Forever an underrated performer.
4. CB: Sven Botman
United paid £35m to sign Botman from Lille in the summer and even at that price, the Dutchman looks a bargain.