Newcastle United are hoping that Joelinton will be fit to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
The Magpies are currently without the Brazilian midfielder, with Joelinton injuring his knee against Fulham.
He has missed Newcastle United’s previous two games, and it remains to be seen when the 28-year-old will return to action.
However, Eddie Howe has stated that Joelinton will be injured for weeks rather than months, which suggests that he could be back in time for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16th.
Eddie Howe provides Joelinton injury update
Now the Newcastle United manager has provided a further update on Joelinton’s injury status, admitting that he could be available to play in the cup final at Wembley next month.
“We hope by that time [Carabao Cup final] he will be back fit and available,” he said.
“He is very driven to get back. Joe is making good progress.
“When he approaches his injury, he is very positive to get back and shave time off the estimated target that he has been given, which is a great thing, but also, we need to control that and make sure that he comes back in a really good place.
“He is very positive at the moment.”
The player who could take Joelinton’s place in the Newcastle United starting XI
While Howe will be desperate to have Joelinton fit by the time the cup final comes around, his injury does at least give someone else an opportunity to stake a claim.
It remains to be seen who Eddie Howe will pick to replace Joelinton in midfield, as we have not had a routine Premier League game since his injury. Howe used a bespoke system against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final, before heavily rotating against Birmingham City.
But the Toon boss will name his strongest team against Man City, with the likes of Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley pushing to join Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.
Given his performance in the FA Cup, it is Willock who should get the opportunity to start in midfield. He is an outstanding player, and deserves a run in the team as he aims to re-find his rhythm.
Willock is included in Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Man City, and a strong run of form could potentially result in the former Arsenal man going on to start at Wembley against Liverpool.
However, that will depend on how well he plays and how quickly Joelinton recovers.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
