Eddie Howe reveals first-team star is a ‘doubt’ for Newcastle’s crucial Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal
Joelinton is facing a race against time to be fit for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has revealed.
The Brazilian was pictured wearing a knee brace after injuring his right leg during Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Fulham.
The Magpies welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park on Wednesday night, with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg last month, as they bid to end their 56-year major trophy drought.
Ahead of the fixture, Howe revealed that Joelinton is a doubt for the match but he insisted his side retains considerable strength in depth in midfield.
‘Joey had a knee brace on as a precaution. I would say he is a doubt, but we will give him every chance to be fit,’ he said.
‘Our centre midfield, we have good strength in depth – Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock – they all bring something.’
Joelinton is a doubt for Newcastle’s clash against Arsenal on Wednesday after sustaining an injury against Fulham
Eddie Howe confirmed that the Brazilian was put in a knee brace as a precaution and insisted his team has strength in depth to cope with Joelinton’s absence
The Magpies welcome an Arsenal side buoyed by their 5-1 victory over Manchester City on Sunday
After securing a rare victory in north London earlier this month, Newcastle looked set to reach their second League Cup final in three years but recent home defeats by Bournemouth and Fulham have given the Gunners hope of a turnaround.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also been on a good run of form since that loss and come into the fixture buoyed by their emphatic 5-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
Howe added: ‘My message is, we are at the halfway point in the tie. Against any opposition the game is still very much alive.
‘We have to approach the game in a really positive and aggressive way, try and be ourselves, there will be no deviation from that. We are in a good position and need to make the most of every opportunity.
‘I think [our success] has been a combination of us and the crowd. I think we’ve become a really potent team together and that is what we are going to need in this game.
‘We are going to need to engage all our supporters in our energy and our body language, we need to make this a formidable environment for our opponent. It is our duty to do that.’
