Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will oversee a late check on his midfield enforcer Joelinton ahead of the Boxing Day encounter with Aston Villa.
The Brazil international ended up being hospitalised after an ugly clash with Brentford’s Nathan Collins in the Carabao Cup quarter-final victory at St James’ Park. Since then Joelinton – who missed the clash at Ipswich anyway due to a suspension – has been recovering at the training following an emergency stitch-up at the RVI.
Howe is eager to get Joelinton back into his side but given the facial wound was on a delicate part of the Toon star’s face, he must tread carefully. Howe said today: “We will have a look at him today. He had various facial injuries after the last home game against Brentford, in which he came off. He had a couple of stiches around his ear, so we will see how he is today.”
It was Joe Willock who stepped in for Joelinton in the 4-0 win at Ipswich Town and the ex-Arsenal man impressed at Portman Road. Sean Longstaff is also standing by for his opportunity from the start again after being benched for the last two Premier League matches.
Speaking on Willock, Howe said: “Joe [Willock] is fine. To keep Joe fit for a sustained spell is now really important for him to get back to his very best level – it will take him a period of games.”
One injury that was crystal clear was Nick Pope with the goalkeeper still nursing a knee problem suffered in the 4-2 defeat at Brentford. Howe said: “Nick [Pope] is doing okay, he has had a couple of injections in his knee. Quite when he will be fit, it is still difficult to give a definitive date.”
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