Newcastle United injury latest on Joelinton, Joe Willock, Nick Pope and Emil Krafth
JOELINTON should be available for Newcastle United’s Boxing Day home game with Aston Villa despite having required minor surgery in the wake of last week’s Carabao Cup win over Brentford.
The Brazilian midfielder was forced off at the half-time interval of the quarter-final victory after suffering facial injuries when he was accidentally trodden on by an opponent.
As well as suffering damage to his mouth, Joelinton also suffered some deep cuts around his ear that needed stitches in hospital after the game.
He was always going to miss Saturday’s league win over Ipswich Town because he was suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the win over Leicester City, but he is available again for the Villa game and should be restored to the squad provided he comes through training without any issues in the next couple of days.
“We hope he (Joelinton) will be available,” said head coach Eddie Howe, whose side head into Christmas in eighth position after their emphatic win at Portman Road. “We’ll have a look at him today.
“He had various facial injuries after the last home game against Brentford, in which he came off. He had a couple of stitches in and around his ear, so we’ll see how he is today.”
Joe Willock was substituted in the win over Ipswich after receiving treatment following a collision in the opposition box, but the midfielder has been given a clean bill of health. Willock has missed much of the last 18 months through injury, with Howe admitting the 25-year-old desperately needs an extended run of training and matches.
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“As far as I know, he’s (Willock) fine,” said Howe. “On shooting, I think his head just took a little bang to the floor, but I think he’s fine.
“He will want a run in the side, and to keep Joe fit, for a sustained spell, is now really important. He’s done the hard work to get back fit after a really difficult time for him.
“He’s been missing for a long, long time. So, for him to get back to his very best levels will take a period of regular games. But I think he’s moving in the right direction now, so the last thing he needs is any kind of setback at this stage. He’s such an important player, he brings us unique qualities and we want to keep him available.”
Nick Pope is gradually stepping up his training programme as he recovers from a knee injury, but the goalkeeper will not be involved against Villa and it remains to be seen whether he is able to feature in any of the matches over Christmas and New Year.
“Nick is doing okay,” said Howe. “He was given a timeframe initially where he had to rest, and he’s had a couple of injections in his knee and is feeling better. He’s feeling strong, but quite when he’ll be fit is a difficult one to give a definitive date on.”
The same is true of centre-half Emil Krafth, who continues to work his way back to full fitness after suffering a broken collarbone.
“Emil’s working well,” said Howe. “His injury was a serious enough one, he’s had an operation, but he’s now back on grass and running.
“The big thing for him will be contact, and when we introduce him back into the type of training that will test the injury the most. The good news is that he’s fit and running, and looking good.”
