Newcastle United are missing a lot of important players right now, but one absence was felt more than most on Saturday night.

While it was fantastic to see Lewis Miley start for the first time in the Premier League at the age of 17, that came about because Bruno Guimaraes was unavailable.

The 25-year-old was suspended for the game against Bournemouth, having picked up his fifth booking of the season during the 1-0 win over Arsenal - a game where he should have saw red.

With Bruno missing, Newcastle seriously struggled. He is arguably the club's most important player, and that is evident when he does not play.

Now Eddie Howe has spoke about being without the Brazil international, and has admitted that Saturday's loss proves just how influential he is for the Magpies.

Eddie Howe bemoans 'huge loss' of Bruno Guimaraes against Bournemouth Following the 2-0 loss to Bournemouth, Howe spoke to the Shields Gazette. He addressed his team's performance without Bruno.

"Bruno was a huge miss," he said.

"You can see the impact he has on our midfield on the back of today's performance.

"Hopefully we get him back if he comes back from international duty in good condition."

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That game could also see Alexander Isak return, who has been out of action with a groin injury. It is important we get him back, especially with Callum Wilson now out injured.

But Bruno is the one Newcastle player who is irreplaceable. We do not have anyone who can do what he can. As Howe said in the buildup to the Bournemouth game, Bruno is completely unique.

His absence was evident on Saturday, like it always is when he does not feature. Newcastle are a completely different team when he is not involved.

That is something that Howe will continue trying to address, as he does not want his team to be reliant on one player. Just like it was not sustainable for Steve Bruce to rely on Allan Saint-Maximin, it is not sustainable for Eddie Howe to rely on Bruno Guimaraes.