The Bruno Guimaraes plan Howe will be forced to abandon amid Newcastle's 'luxury player' defence

Newcastle United's victory over Brighton extended the Magpies' unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches and lifted the club seven points clear of the relegation zone. But despite this transformation from a winless outfit into one of the division's form sides, there is still one question which Eddie Howe has had to face on an almost weekly basis.

Bruno Guimaraes was seen as the marquee January arrival when he completed a move from Lyon in what could become a club-record deal. The only signing not to possess Premier League experience, the midfielder was tipped to bring the style to accompany the solidity delivered by the likes of Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Chris Wood.

Newcastle had just won only their second match of the season when a switch for the Brazil international was sealed, and a further four wins have been added in the 38 days since his arrival. Perhaps even more surprisingly however, Guimaraes has featured for just 39 minutes in these last five matches and is yet to earn his first start in black-and-white.

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There were indications from the outset that Howe was hoping to ease in his 'priority' target who confidently outlined his ambition to win the Champions League in his St James' Park unveiling. However, an astonishing run of form which seemed impossible just a month ago has made a slow introduction the only realistic option.

Newcastle have found a winning formula in midfield from the squad already at Howe's disposal. Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton are living up to the head coach's early billing, while Joe Willock has rediscovered the goalscoring touch which convinced the former regime to break their