Eddie Howe has addressed Joelinton’s fitness after Newcastle United’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
The midfielder was withdrawn during the second half of Newcastle United’s draw against Bayer Leverkusen, with the Magpies once again giving up a lead late on after coming from behind.
Joelinton was substituted in the 60th minute, with Lewis Miley coming on to replace him. The Brazil international had gone down with an injury, resulting in Eddie Howe taking no risks ahead of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.
However, Joelinton was visibly annoyed about being taken off, which would suggest he felt he could continue playing.
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Eddie Howe confirms Joelinton had a groin issue
Immediately after the Magpies’ Champions League draw against Bayer Leverkusen, the Newcastle United manager was asked to provide an update on Joelinton’s fitness.
“He felt something in his groin,” he said on TNT Sports 3.
“So we took him off straight away.”
Joelinton will be assessed in the coming days, and there is no doubt that he will do everything he can to feature against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Lewis Miley tipped to replace Joelinton against Sunderland
If Joelinton is not fit to start the derby, Howe will be forced to make a change to his midfield.
The most likely candidate to come into the side is Lewis Miley, who was excellent off the bench on Wednesday night.
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He scored his first Champions League goal to become Newcastle United’s youngest ever scorer in the competition, and pundit Don Hutchison now thinks the 19-year-old is poised to start against Sunderland in place of Joelinton.
“I would imagine Lewis Miley will play after his goal,” he said on TNT Sports 3.
“He will be knocking on the manager’s door saying he wants to play.”
The other players who could replace Joelinton are Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey, who both started Newcastle’s win over Burnley on Saturday.
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