Report: Eddie Howe has chosen his Bruno Guimaraes’ replacement ahead of Arsenal clash

Newcastle United will be without Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar on Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal.

The Brazilian midfielder and Swiss defender are both serving a one-match suspension after accumulating two bookings in the cup competition. Anthony Gordon is likely to play after suffering a cut against Spurs, with Sven Botman being monitored after suffering fatigue late on in his return.

With some uncertainty elsewhere, it’s believed Eddie Howe has already decided on Bruno’s replacement ahead of the 8pm kick-off as we look to take advantage of an Arsenal side weakened by the absence of Bukayo Saka.

New reports reveals Bruno replacement

According to Mark Douglas the i Paper, Sean Longstaff looks set to replace Bruno Guimaraes for tonight’s semi-final first leg at Arsenal.

Bruno will only miss the first leg after being shown two bookings in the competition so far, firstly against Nottingham Forest way back in August and then in our most recent quarter-final clash with Brentford.

Longstaff hasn’t started during our brilliant recent run of form, with his most recent being in the disappointing 4-2 defeat at Brentford that preceded our six game winning run that’s often featured amidfield three of Bruno, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.

They have only been separated once, with that too forced through suspension when Joelinton was sidelined against Ipswich, allowing for Joe Willock to come into Howe’s XI for the 4-0 win over Ipswich.

Big chance for Longstaff

Longstaff’s future has been shrouded in uncertainty this January. Newcastle need to sell if they are to sign in accordance with the PSR guidelines and this Tuesday’s affair gives him the chance to impress on multiple fronts.

Firstly, and perhaps primarily for the local lad, is to stake a claim for a first team spot that seems by and large nailed down by the typical trio while simultaneously pushing his boyhood club towards a cup final.