Newcastle could get 'massive' boost before Bournemouth at St James' Park

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will be handed a ‘massive’ boost if Allan Saint-Maximin and Bruno Guimaraes return from injury ahead of Bournemouth’s trip to St James’ Park on Saturday, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Although the Magpies’ away clash with West Ham United did not go ahead last weekend as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Howe’s charges will be back in action against his former club.

It is understood that Saint-Maximin is on course to return to action when Newcastle take on Bournemouth, while Guimaraes could also be in contention to make the squad.

Saint-Maximin was substituted moments after scoring a late leveller against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month and, having sustained a hamstring injury, has missed the meetings with Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

Guimaraes, meanwhile, has been absent for the Magpies’ last three Premier League clashes and been restricted to just 275 minutes of action since the season got underway.

The 24-year-old picked up a hamstring problem in the closing stages of the Carabao Cup second round win at Tranmere Rovers but, having been called-up by Brazil ahead of the upcoming international break, it seems he is nearing full fitness.

Newcastle go into this weekend’s clash against newly-promoted Bournemouth with the two sides locked on seven points apiece.

O’Rourke believes the return of Saint-Maximin and Guimaraes would be welcomed by Howe as he prepares to face a side where he had two spells in charge.

The journalist feels the former would cause Bournemouth’s defenders all sorts of problems and make Newcastle even more of a force in the final third of the pitch.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It would be massive to get these two players back fit.