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Ciaran Kelly

Bruno Guimaraes already making impact in Newcastle dressing room after telling vow to Eddie Howe

Not many new signings have a banner in the Gallowgate End before they have even played for Newcastle United or have their name chanted by the stadium announcer as they enter the field at St James' Park.

Bruno Guimaraes, however, has made an immediate impact at Newcastle - without even starting a game for the club.

Jonjo Shelvey previously admitted that the club's new signings had created 'that bit of uncertainty in terms of you don't know where you're going to be playing' and Guimaraes' arrival has certainly pushed those around him.

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In fact, Shelvey, Joelinton and Joe Willock have been playing so well that Guimaraes, a Brazil international, has only had 10 minutes on the field despite catching the eye of Eddie Howe and his staff in training and during his cameos.

Whether it was dispossessing Anthony Gordon to slip Allan Saint-Maximin in one-on-one or taking Dele Alli and Allan out of the game with a clever back heel, Guimaraes made an instant impression on his debut against Everton.

In an ideal world, Howe would have liked to have given Guimaraes more game time against Aston Villa five days later, but the Newcastle head coach only had one change remaining from the 48th minute onwards after both Javier Manquillo and Kieran Trippier limped off.

Newcastle looked in need of fresh legs in the middle of the park as the game went on and, at one point, the Gallowgate called for Guimaraes' introduction as Villa pinged the ball around.

Howe, though, waited before Guimaraes was eventually summoned in the final minutes of the game.

Howe repeatedly pointed to his temples as he spoke to Guimaraes before assistant Jason Tindall issued some final instructions to the substitute on his iPad.

As the tireless Joe Willock walked off the field to a standing ovation, the club's stadium announcer announced Guimaraes' arrival by chanting: 'Bruno! Bruno!'

It lifted the arena and Guimaraes again played a small but meaningful role in helping the Magpies get over the line.

Indeed, in the 97th minute, Guimaraes cleverly drew a foul from Jacob Ramsey and won a free-kick for his side deep inside his own half to eat up some valuable seconds as Newcastle claimed a precious victory.

Guimaraes would have loved to have been on the field for longer but, tellingly, the 24-year-old was the first on social media after the game to congratulate his team-mates on another win.

The midfielder's attitude cannot be faulted in that respect, having personally told Howe that he would even play in goal if it meant he could help the team.

It won't come to that, of course, but Guimaraes will eventually get his chance in the starting line-up - even if it is unlikely to be against West Ham on Saturday.

Howe is well-aware of the hype surrounding Guimaraes - the Newcastle head coach is just as excited about the new arrival - but he wants to start him at the right time.

It's as much about protecting Guimaraes as it is the team full stop. Adjusting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League is one thing, but Guimaraes has also had adapt to a new role in a new team - right down to learning where to stand at set-pieces - as Howe has already alluded to.

"He's ready to play, he's fit to play," Howe said just last week. "Certainly, he's shown all the technical qualities that we loved about him in training already, but it's a case of managing the group from my side and making sure I make the right selections.

"Each game is very different. The midfield balance against Everton was really good with Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jonjo in there. I thought all three players did really well.

"Bruno will play a lot of games for this football club - I've got no doubt about that. It's great to have competition for places."

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