Eddie Howe vows to find roles for both Guimaraes and Tonali in Newcastle line-up

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted it is up to him to solve the conundrum of fitting star midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali into his team.

Tonali, a £55million signing from AC Milan during the summer of 2023, has started only four Premier League games since his return from a 10-month worldwide ban at the end of August, with head coach Howe struggling to find a balance in midfield.

While the Italy international and Brazil counterpart Guimaraes are different types of player, they both like to occupy similar spaces on the pitch and that has created something of a headache, with Tonali having to make do with a seat on the bench for the last three games.

Asked ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace if the pair can start together, Howe said: “Anything is possible. Of course they can. They are two outstanding players.

“It’s up to me to try and find a solution that works for both players and sees their qualities within the team.

“You can put any player into the team and any combination of players into the team, but it’s got to be to the team’s benefit. It has to be right for both players to showcase their attributes, so hopefully we can do that.”

Guimaraes, a £35million acquisition from French club Lyon in January 2022, has been a central character in the Magpies’ return to prominence – he has missed only seven games since his arrival on Tyneside and Newcastle have won none of them – and was appointed captain this summer.

Tonali was signed to bolster the squad for last season’s first Champions League campaign in two decades, although his suspension after admitting breaches of betting regulations ruined his first season in England.

His quality is not in any doubt, but just how he fits into Howe’s midfield