Howe Concedes Joelinton Unlikely to Play in Newcastle’s Final Four Matches

Newcastle United’s Brazilian midfielder Joelinton is set to miss the final four matches of the season due to a persistent knee injury, manager Eddie Howe indicated on Friday.

The 28-year-old did not participate in Newcastle’s 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League last weekend.

“It’s likely to be a challenge for him, but with Joe, you can never completely discount him,” Howe remarked regarding Joelinton’s potential return this season.

“He’s incredibly determined to make a comeback. He experienced some discomfort in his knee just before the (Ipswich) match and sought advice from a specialist.

“Fortunately, it’s not serious, but he requires a period of rest. Currently, he’s in Brazil. We’ll see if he can return by the end of the season, although it’s looking unlikely. I wouldn’t classify it as a new injury; rather, it’s related to his previous issue and simply needs time to heal.”

Earlier this season, Joelinton missed five matches due to a knee injury.

Newcastle currently sits third in the Premier League with 62 points, vying for a Champions League qualifying position, closely followed by Manchester City on 61, Chelsea (60), Nottingham Forest (60), and Aston Villa (57).

On a positive note, Howe confirmed that defender Sven Botman is ready to play against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, having returned from injury last weekend.

“Yes, he came through well,” the manager said. “He’s trained excellently this week and looks in good shape, so it’s a significant boost to have him back.”

Interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is mounting ahead of the transfer window, with his 22 goals placing him second on the Premier League scoring list, just behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (28).

However, Howe firmly stated that the 25-year-old Sweden international is not for sale.

“From my standpoint, he’s not on the market,” he told the media on Friday. “If I’m aiming to build a robust squad, I want to ensure we have the strongest team possible for next season.

“There’s much to be optimistic about, and the end of the season will be vital for us.

“I believe we have a solid squad, and if we can add a few players for the first time in several windows, that would make a huge difference for us. That’s my main focus, not the opposite.”