Eddie Howe is looking forward to seeing Bruno Guimaraes stake his claim for a starting role at Newcastle United as chances to feature are imminent, via quotes by The Northern Echo.
The Toon boss has been ‘reluctant’ to unleash the Brazilian since his £35m, up to £41.5m, January transfer from Lyon. Howe has instead favoured those who are enjoying a rich vein of form to help the St James’ Park outfit edge clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Guimaraes has so far only featured for 28-minutes over four appearances off the Magpies’ bench. Only his outing at Brentford last week also lasted more than two-minutes of regular time, with 26-minutes in west London. His other outings each came during stoppage-time.
Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock and man-of-the-moment Joelinton have instead opened all four of Newcastle’s Premier League fixtures since signing Guimaraes. But Howe assures the 24-year-old that chances are imminent with United set to play four times in the next 13-days.
Howe ‘reluctant’ to change Newcastle XI but Guimaraes’ chance is coming
Guimaraes excites Howe with what the midfielder has displayed across his brief Newcastle appearances so far. But the Toon boss urges him to stake his claim for a starting role once given a chance to feature. He also accepts the Brazilian will not wait forever to get games.
“I think Bruno understands,” Howe claimed. “He’s come into a team that is doing very well. Because of our season and the way it’s unfolded, I have been reluctant to make too many changes when we’re in a good moment.
“But I get that he’s not going to want to sit and watch for a long period of time. He wants to play. The amount of games we’ve got coming up in this short period, he will have an opportunity. It’s then up to him to play so well that I don’t want to take him out.
“I am looking forward to seeing more of him. He does play in a slightly different way, a more controlling way. He is a very creative passer, and I’ve been really pleased with the brief time we’ve seen him on the pitch.”
Howe will likely make Guimaraes wait for his maiden Premier League start when Newcastle host Brighton & Hove Albion. Shelvey, Willock and Joelinton were among the Magpies’ top performers at Brentford. So, each will believe they deserve to start once again on Saturday.
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