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Eddie Howe confirms huge Newcastle injury worry ahead of Arsenal Carabao Cup clash

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe
-Credit:Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images


Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has revealed midfielder Joelinton is a doubt for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg clash against Arsenal.

The Gunners travel to St James' Park knowing they must overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg, which was played at the start of January. Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have put the Magpies in control ahead of the match on Wednesday night.

Arsenal will have hope, however, with Newcastle losing their last two home games to Bournemouth and Fulham. Howe faces a late decision over key midfielder Joelinton, who emerged from the Fulham game wearing a brace on his right knee.

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Speaking to reporters ahead of the semi-final, Howe said: “We’ll assess how he is for this game. I’d say he’s a doubt, but we’ll give him every minute we can to try to make him fit.”

If the Magpies faltered at the weekend – they have nevertheless won 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions – the Gunners were in stunning form as they romped to a 5-1 home victory over champions Manchester City to fire a warning. But Howe, who could also have striker Callum Wilson available after a 12-game absence, said: “What a great opportunity we’ve got – and that’s if it’s 0-0 – so forget any talk of a lead, it’s 0-0 and we are at home. What an opportunity to attack the game and embrace everything in front of us to be at our best.”

Elsewhere, Jamaal Lascelles remains out as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. Harvey Barnes is also currently in the treatment room, with the Englishman nursing a thigh injury.

Newcastle allowed defender Lloyd Kelly to leave St James’ Park for Juventus on deadline day in a move which could eventually bring in around £20million on top of the £11million they banked in return for Miguel Almiron’s departure for Atlanta United last week. Howe, who also sold Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh during the summer to avoid a Premier League points deduction for failing to comply with profitability and sustainability rules, is calling for a fresh unity in a smaller squad, but he believes he still has a high-quality group of players.

He said: “These things can sometimes act as a strength for you and that’s very much how I am trying to pull the group together, have real unity in smaller numbers, and we keep fighting in every phase. Sometimes that unity can be really, really powerful.

“I don’t think it’s ideal. We’d love to have brought new energy into the group – that’s being very honest – but that wasn’t to be our world in this window, so we have to make the best of the situation.”