Newcastle are hoping Joelinton will return for the visit of Aston Villa on Thursday (3pm GMT) as the midfielder continues to recover from an injury that required him to be hospitalized following Wednesday’s Carabao Cup home win over Brentford .
Midfielder Joelinton was substituted at half-time after a challenge with Nathan Collins and did not feature in the Magpies’ 4-0 win at Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday because he was suspended.
“He had various facial injuries … a few stitches in and around his ear,” manager Eddie Howe said. “We’ll see how he feels (on Monday).”
Joelinton started Newcastle’s 20 games in all competitions before being forced to miss the trip to Portman Road.
Eddie Howe on Aston Villa:
“We had two games against Aston Villa last season. This will be a really good challenge for us. I think their squad is very broad and has some really good players. Their style is very difficult to play, very well trained, very good… pic.twitter.com/7o1WOXwJji
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 23, 2024
Newcastle injuries
Howe said Joe Willock is “doing well” after being treated for a head injury in Ipswich. “It’s really important now to keep Joe fit,” he added. “He has done the hard work to get back fit after a really difficult period for him.”
Willock missed much of last season with hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries, but appeared in all but three of his team’s games in the 2024-25 season.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope has missed the last three games with a knee injury, while defender Emile Krafth is recovering from a broken collarbone.
Eddie Howe on the festive schedule:
“Every reason for us to be excited about these games (against Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur). I was really happy with our performance in the last few games and I think we have to take that into account next week.” We… pic.twitter.com/KaUUIbJxlw
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 23, 2024
Nick Pope “feels strong”
“Nick Pope is doing well,” Howe said, admitting that he didn’t know when the 32-year-old would be able to return.
“He was initially given a time frame in which he had to rest. He has had a few injections in his knee and is feeling better and stronger.
“(Krafth is) back on the grass and running. The most important thing for him will be contact when he is reintroduced to group training.”
Eddie Howe on Jacob Murphy:
“Jacob is very selfless, he always plays for the team, he is passionate about scoring a goal, he always has been. Every team needs these qualities.” pic.twitter.com/AJd126dCxQ
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 23, 2024
Newcastle vs Villa
Newcastle sit eighth in the Premier League, having also beaten Leicester City 4-0 at home in their previous league game on December 14.
Villa are in sixth place, two points ahead of them, with a 2-1 home win over Manchester City on Saturday.
