NEWCASTLE: Bruno Guimaraes has to be the blueprint for the next phase of Newcastle United鈥檚 development 鈥� that鈥檚 the view of head coach Eddie Howe.

The Brazilian has been the diamond in the middle of Newcastle鈥檚 charge to the Carabao Cup final and Champions League contention, from a low base of relegation battlers when the former Lyon man arrived.

And while Guimaraes has not been the sole catalyst for success on Tyneside, in many ways he represents a direct window into what Howe and Magpies鈥� fans want from their players as the club heads into its next phase of the project 鈥� becoming real silverware challengers.

鈥淭hat is the profile of player,鈥� said Howe about future signings, referencing Guimaraes鈥� transformational prowess at St. James鈥� Park.

鈥淏ecause Bruno has gone on to do brilliant things for the team, for the club, and we hope there are many more of those moments to come. Finding players like that who are affordable and all the other things that go into a transfer is not easy.鈥�

Talk this month has been of contract extensions for key players, following on from new deals for Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron.

Guimaraes is said to be the next in line to be rewarded with new terms, in a clear attempt to ward off lofty admirers, namely Real Madrid.

鈥淣ot to my knowledge,鈥� said Howe in a coy manner when asked about a new deal for his talisman. 鈥淚鈥檝e been preparing for the game. I鈥檓 not sure on that.鈥�

Guimaraes has formed a South American duet with compatriot Joelinton in the heart of Newcastle鈥檚 midfield this season, but will have to do without his partner-in-crime for the next two games, due to the No. 7s suspension.

Howe will likely hand Joe Willock a place back in the side, but it does leave the Magpies light in a key area against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sun.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big blow for us. Joe has been very consistent for us this year. In and out of possession, I think he鈥檚 been very good, and his game has gone onto another level,鈥� said Howe.

鈥淗e鈥檚 played various roles and has a great mentality. He wants to win in every moment, compete in training and games, and is very consistent with his attitude. A big blow, a big miss.鈥�

Newcastle took the unusual step of allowing Jonjo Shelvey to leave in January, further depleting a department which was already, on paper, light.

Howe added: 鈥淵eah, we are light in midfield. I don鈥檛 think it was a risk I took, it was a decision I didn鈥檛 want to take. It wasn鈥檛 a premeditated decision by me to take that risk. It was 99 percent out of my hands that Jonjo was going to leave. We are left with a bit of a hole without his presence, but it鈥檚 happened and now we have to make the best out of the situation.鈥�

One man鈥檚 misfortune 鈥� Joelinton 鈥� is likely to be someone鈥檚 else鈥檚 blessing. And while Willock appears to be the man tasked with filling the big Brazilian鈥檚 boots, Elliot Anderson is also waiting in the wings for a call.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a chance for someone else to grasp that shirt and try to make sure they don鈥檛 come out the team themselves,鈥� said Howe.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a real shame for him (Anderson) because he had that opportunity to impress against Liverpool and had to be taken off (when Nick Pope was sent off) in the first half. One of the most disappointing things is we did not get to see how good Elliot could have been in that game. Elliot is going to be a very, very good player. He has got things to improve, which we are currently working on with him. But he has the capability for sure.鈥�

Meanwhile, Newcastle are again set to head to Dubai for a spring training camp, as confirmed by the Dubai Sports Council.

Speaking of the trip, Howe said: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the plan. We鈥檒l have quite a few players away so I think we鈥檒l have quite a small group, but that is the plan as we currently stand.鈥�