Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has provided the latest injury update on the squad ahead of their crucial FA Cup fourth-round clash against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Magpies travel to Villa Park aiming to reach the fifth round of the competition for a third consecutive season and build momentum after their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek.
However, the club has been dealt another injury blow with uncertainty surrounding the involvement of captain Bruno Guimaraes in the clash.
The Brazilian midfielder is a major doubt after he was forced off in stoppage time against Spurs with a hamstring injury.
The 28-year-old had only recently returned from an ankle injury and this latest setback could see him sidelined once again.
Meanwhile, Lewis Miley, Joelinton and Tino Livramento have all been ruled out of the cup tie as they continue their recovery from separate injuries.
Miley is closing in on a comeback after a dead leg injury that has kept him out of action longer than expected, while Joelinton has been unavailable since suffering a groin injury last month, which has ruled him out of Newcastle’s last five games across all competitions.
Livramento, on the other hand, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected to return to action until next month.
“With Lewi, we are waiting day-by-day, he’s got a dead leg – he got a bad knock to his thigh, and I think there was a bit of muscle damage on the knock”, Howe revealed during Friday’s pre-match press conference as quoted on the club’s official website.
“He’s having scans on it every few days to see how that is. We don’t think it’s going to be long-term – hopefully, he will be back pretty quickly, so let’s wait and see on that one.
“With Bruno, we are awaiting the full extent of his hamstring injury”, the Newcastle United boss added.
“Joelinton’s doing really well. I don’t think he’ll make this game, but he’s not going to be too far away beyond this game.
“Tino’s on track. I think early March was the diagnosis, the return to play (date), and at the moment he’s back on grass, he’s running, he’s building his fitness back up, and we’re happy with how he’s doing”, Howe concluded.
Newcastle United are winless in their last three meetings with Aston Villa, including a 2-0 home defeat last month. However, they will be hoping for a change in fortunes in this encounter as they push for progress into the next round of the competition.
