Newcastle United’s injury crisis officially got worse on Tuesday with the announcement that Joelinton had successfully undergone surgery.
The 27-year-old has not been seen since he was forced off during the Tyne-Wear derby win over Sunderland with a thigh injury. It was initially feared that he would be out of action for six weeks, but it then transpired that he needed surgery.
Now Joelinton has gone under the knife, and is going to be missing until May. That means there is an outside chance of him returning before the 2023/24 campaign ends. However, it could be a race against time.
It is a huge blow to lose the Brazilian, as he has become vital under Eddie Howe. He has endured a stop-start season, and that has had a direct impact on Newcastle’s form.
Now the Magpies are going to be without Joelinton for pretty much the rest of the season, leaving Howe with just three fully fit centre midfielders – one of which is 17-year-old Lewis Miley.
The other two are Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes, and the latter has delivered a message of support to Joelinton following his operation.
Joelinton delivers message after undergoing surgery
After undergoing surgery, Joelinton took to his official Instagram account to deliver an emotional message regarding his injury, vowing that he will be ‘back soon’.
He wrote: “Today begins another challenge in my life and career, and it is with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face that I am writing this. but a challenge that I will overcome as I have already overcome many others, today begins another beginning in which I will dedicate myself and do my best to recover well and get back to doing what I love in the best way possible. Thank you everyone for your love and support! I’ll be back soon.”
Joelinton received messages from past and present Toon teammates.
There was a reply from Allan Saint-Maximin, who wrote: “Take care my brother.”
Bruno Guimaraes also commented, adding: “You will come back stronger brother!! Good head. We will be together till the end.”
Joelinton’s Newcastle future is up in the air
Hopefully Joelinton does come back stronger and we see him alongside Bruno again, but that is actually in doubt.
That is because the Brazil international’s injury has coincided with talk that he could actually leave St James’ Park in the summer. That is due to his contract situation, with Joelinton so far unable to agree new terms over an extension.
His current deal runs out in 2025, meaning Newcastle might need to cash in on him this summer if he is unwilling to sign on the dotted line. That would be absolutely disastrous, as Joelinton is such an important player in black and white.
But fingers crossed Joelinton does decide to stay, and the ball is in his court regarding contract negotiations. Eddie Howe wants him to remain on Tyneside, and so do the Toon Army.
That remains up in the air, but what is for sure is that Joelinton is now going to be missing until May – but hopefully not forever.
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