Eddie Howe says Newcastle have a such an ‘unusual’ player in their squad

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Eddie Howe has claimed that Newcastle United have really missed one of their key players who is very unique.

It’s been a season of never-ending injuries for Newcastle and while they’ve got a number now coming back into the fold, they’re still missing some key members of the squad.

Speaking at his press conference on Monday, Howe was very clear on the fact that his side are desperate to get Joelinton back for his physicality and energy in the midfield which nobody else brings.

Newcastle sorely missed Joelinton vs Arsenal

It’s unlikely that Joelinton would have had such a huge impact against Arsenal that it would have changed the outcome of the game, but he certainly would have improved the standard of play.

Newcastle as a whole were very poor and there’s rightly been a lot of criticism, but Howe was very limited in hid midfield options and they were totally exposed on Saturday.

Neither Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff or Lewis Miley are particularly physical or quick players and time and time again Newcastle have been punished for it.

What Joelinton was so good at doing against in the reverse fixture was putting himself about, pressing players constantly and putting in strong tackles that helped Newcastle win the game.

Speaking on Joelinton, Howe said: “Yes, we’ve missed Joe’s qualities, especially physically, his robustness, his abilities in duels, set-plays for and against.

“We’re very lucky to have a midfielder that’s as big as he is and as competitive as he is and whenever you lose those qualities, you notice when they’re not there. He’s a very unusual midfielder, really, a prototype. You don’t get many like him and it’s certainly been missed, what he can bring.”

Howe hoping Joelinton stays at Newcastle long term

With just 18 months left on his current contract there has been speculation that the Brazilian may be on his way out of the club in this upcoming summer transfer window.

Joelinton has become one of Newcastle’s most important members of the squad in the last couple of years under Howe and the midfielder clearly feels he deserves an increase in wage to reflect that stature.

Howe is hopeful that his star man will commit his future to the club as negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days and weeks, but until than the speculation will no doubt continue.

Joelinton may still have a part to play at the end of Newcastle’s season should his recovery go well, but the most important thing for Howe is that he’s in a black and white shirt next year.