By Gabriel Agbonlahor

3rd Feb, 2023 | 7:30am

Agbonlahor shares verdict on Bruno Guimaraes fear after Newcastle United transfer blunder

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Newcastle United shouldn’t be worried about dropping out of the top four despite talisman Bruno Guimaraes’ three-match suspension.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested Jonjo Shelvey’s move to Nottingham Forest would not have been sanctioned if the Magpies had advanced warning of the 25-year-old’s ban.

Guimaraes will miss Newcastle’s next three Premier League games against West Ham, Bournemouth, and Liverpool after his straight red card against Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday (31 January).

Shelvey, who had made only five appearances for the Magpies this season, joined Forest on a two-and-a-half-year deal immediately after the semi-final triumph against the Saints.

Joelinton is now the prime candidate to replace Guimaraes in the Newcastle midfield and feature alongside mainstays Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff.

Eddie Howe’s side remain third in the Premier League and will have the chance to win their first major domestic trophy since 1955 when they face Man United in the League Cup Final on 26 February.

When asked if Newcastle are in trouble without the presence of Guimaraes, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t think so.

“Joelinton can come into that midfield with Longstaff. Willock is another who can do it.

“They’ve got options at Newcastle.

“Maybe if this three-game ban for Guimaraes happened a day earlier, they might have stopped Shelvey from going out to Forest.

“I think they’ll be fine without Guimaraes.

“They have the grit and determination to come through these three games and stay in the top four. I see no reason why they can’t.”

In other news, Football Insider reveals Newcastle United regret at £30million deal as new details emerge.