Bruno Guimaraes has vowed to "be ready faster than ever" after suffering an ankle injury during Newcastle United's 1-0 win against Fulham on Sunday.
The midfielder, despite his best efforts to initally run off the injury, limped off at half-time after his ankle gave way during the win over the Cottagers. Guimaraes left St James' Park with a protective boot on as fears grew over a long-term spell on the sidelines.
The Brazilian has since undergone a scan to discover the full extent of his time away from the game and fans were relieved to hear that things were not as bad as first feared. Although the Magpies went on to win the match through an Alexander Isak header, the Toon Army are all too aware of the vital role that the Brazilian plays in their team.
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Eddie Howe will be desperate to have Guimaraes available for their two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton. The first trip to St Mary's takes place on January 24 with the return leg at St James' Park a week later on January 31.
Although the trip to the south coast may come a fraction too early, the 25-year-old has promised to be back in action as soon as possible. Taking to social media, the former Lyon man wrote: "Faith moves mountains! I'll be ready faster than ever."
Howe is now facing a tactical re-shuffle and looks set to introduce Allan Saint-Maximin into the starting XI, with Joelinton slotting into the midfield alongside Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. Although the Newcastle manager will have every faith in the rest of his squad to step up to the plate in Guimaraes' absence, there is no denying just how quickly the 45-year-old will want his star back in the first-team.
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