Newcastle United dealt major blow before FA Cup tie at Birmingham City
Newcastle United ace Joelinton will miss the FA Cup tie with Birmingham City after being ruled out for ‘weeks’ with a knee injury.
Brazilian midfielder Joelinton missed the 2-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night which booked Newcastle’s place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Magpies boss Eddie Howe confirmed afterwards that Joelinton faces a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
"We knew that we were missing Joe for a period of time. We had to change something,” said Howe.
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"So we came up with a plan on Monday, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. We stuck to the plan and delivered. I think Joelinton will be out for weeks not months. It is not a serious injury but it is enough to make him miss the next few league games."
Howe deployed a back three against Arsenal to tactically outwit Mikel Arteta. It remains to be seen whether Howe will revert to a back four against Blues but, with important Premier League fixtures against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool on the horizon, he could shuffle his pack against Blues.
League One leaders Blues are eyeing an upset at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park as they bid to make the fifth round for the first time in five years. The club confirmed on Wednesday that all tickets have sold out.
“It will be a full stadium and I’m sure the Geordies will make a lot of noise as well,” said Blues manager Chris Davies. “It will be a great atmosphere.”
