Newcastle 'pretty hopeful' £90k-a-week star will 'return soon' at St James' Park

Newcastle United are ‘pretty hopeful’ that star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes will return to action soon, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Magpies faithful will be eager to see the talented 24-year-old back on the pitch soon after failing to pick up a victory in the Premier League during his absence through injury.

Guimaraes has missed Newcastle’s last three fixtures with a hamstring problem and recently stated that he is aiming to be back in time for the upcoming clash against West Ham.

“I’ve been working hard for this,” the Brazil international told NUFCTV. “It’s my goal, but I don’t know if I’ll be ready. I know I need to answer this question for many fans today. I’m doing my best to be ready as much as possible.”

While Guimaraes has been on the treatment table, Newcastle have drawn to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace either side of a last-minute defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

However, Eddie Howe’s charges have still only lost once all campaign and are currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League table.

But the return of Guimaraes could help catapult Newcastle further up the top-flight standings as they aim to continue their impressive progress under Howe’s guidance since he took over last November.

Newcastle currently have several players on the injury list, with Jonjo Shelvey, Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Emil Krafth also sidelined.

Yet O’Rourke claims he is ‘sure’ that Guimaraes ‘isn’t too far away’ from making his comeback following a three-week absence.

He told GiveMeSport: “I’m sure Bruno Guimaraes isn’t too far away, and they’re pretty hopeful that he could be back soon. He’s already such a key player for Eddie Howe and Newcastle.”

Guimaraes has hit the ground running at