Newcastle United star misses training as Eddie Howe prepares for pivotal Brighton clash

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Eddie Howe is sweating on the fitness of a key Newcastle United player ahead of facing Brighton.

The Magpies travel to the south coast this weekend, as Newcastle United take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

It is a vital game for Eddie Howe, as Newcastle aim to secure Champions League qualification.

Newcastle beat Ipswich Town on Saturday to move back up to third, but now head to a ground where they have not been victorious since February 2017.

To make matters worse, the Magpies have been beaten twice by Brighton already this season.

Joelinton injury update ahead of Brighton vs Newcastle United

The Seagulls will aim to make it a hat-trick, while it remains to be seen if Newcastle United will have Joelinton back for the game against Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Joelinton missed the Ipswich match due to a knee injury, and it appears that he is yet to return to training.

That is according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, who has provided an update from the Newcastle United training ground on X.

Downie wrote: “No Joelinton at training for Newcastle on a hot and sunny day at Benton for this morning. The midfielder has seen a specialist on a knee problem that saw him miss the win over Ipswich.”

• READ MORE: Who is Joelinton? Age, Height, Chant, Position, Socials and More

Who could play in midfield for Newcastle United on Sunday

Joelinton’s injury gave Joe Willock the chance to start against Ipswich Town.

However, Willock struggled to impact the game.

It was not the best display from the 25-year-old, who looked frustrated when he was replaced by Lewis Miley in the 67th minute. That frustration was still visible when a victorious Newcastle United team returned to the Toon dressing room.

Willock’s performance leaves Howe with a decision to make. He must decide whether to stick with Willock and give him the chance to build up some momentum, or turn to Miley and give him his second Premier League start of the season.

The third option is Sean Longstaff, who has become more and more out of favour as the season has developed. The academy graduate has not started a Premier League game for the Magpies since December.

Alternatively, there is still time for Joelinton to prove his fitness, with Newcastle not in action until Sunday. However, that feels unlikely.