JOELINTON has emerged as a major injury doubt ahead of Newcastle United’s midweek Carabao Cup decider after being forced off during this afternoon’s Premier League home defeat to Fulham.

The Magpies host Arsenal on Wednesday evening, defending a 2-0 first-leg advantage as they look to secure a place in March’s Wembley final.

They could find themselves lining up without Joelinton, though, after the Brazilian was forced off in considerable discomfort in the loss to Fulham.

Joelinton signalled to the bench in the early stages of the second half after suffering a knee problem, and while he initially attempted to continue, his movement was clearly impaired and he was forced off shortly before the hour mark as he was replaced by Joe Willock.

He will be assessed in the next 24 hours, but is an early doubt ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg decider.

“Joelinton was suffering with a knee injury,” confirmed Howe, who saw his side suffer a second successive home defeat as they were beaten 2-1. “That was a shame, but he was clearly struggling in that second half.”

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Newcastle will have to regroup ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup game, but they could be boosted by the return of Callum Wilson.

Wilson was not part of the squad that lost to Fulham, but he took part in a couple of first-team training sessions last week and is expected to train again at the start of next week.

Provided he comes through those sessions unscathed, he could be back in the squad to face Arsenal, with a place on the substitutes’ bench the likeliest scenario.

“Callum will be there or thereabouts for Wednesday’s game,” said Howe. “He’s trained a couple of times, and looked good. Obviously, I’ll speak to everyone connected to Callum and his welfare, and make sure we involve him at the right time.”

Having lost 4-1 to Bournemouth in their previous outing at St James’, Newcastle were second best again as they conceded two second-half goals in their defeat to Fulham.

They will have to improve markedly to see off Arsenal, although Howe expects the semi-final decider to be markedly different to either of his side’s last two home outings.

“I think Wednesday night is a totally different game,” he said. “I don’t think there’ll be too many parallels from this game.

“I just think there were similarities in the two homes games we’ve just had. I didn’t think we were as bad (against Fulham) as we were against Bournemouth, but it’s hugely frustrating again because I know how much better we are than that performance. We just looked a little flat.”