The atmosphere around Newcastle United is currently a mix of nervous anticipation and growing concern as the club prepares for one of the biggest nights in its recent history. With a massive Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain looming in the French capital, manager Eddie Howe met with the media to provide a crucial update on the health of his squad.
The primary focus of the discussion was the condition of Joelinton, the Brazilian powerhouse who has become the heartbeat of the Magpies’ midfield. Unfortunately for the travelling fans, the news was not exactly what they wanted to hear during such a high-stakes week.
The injury occurred during Sunday’s disappointing home defeat to Aston Villa. Early in the second half, Joelinton went down without any contact from an opposing player—often the tell-tale sign of a muscle tear or strain.
As he received medical attention on the pitch, he was clearly gesturing toward his groin, and he was eventually forced to leave the game. Howe confirmed this afternoon that the midfielder has since undergone a medical scan to determine the full extent of the damage.
While the manager was quick to point out that the injury is not “serious” in a long-term sense, he did admit that Joelinton would be sidelined for at least a few weeks.
This news comes as a significant blow to the team’s tactical setup. After a somewhat sluggish start to the current campaign, Joelinton had finally rediscovered the explosive form and physical dominance that made him a fan favorite.
His ability to break up play and drive the ball forward is a unique asset that Newcastle simply cannot replicate with any other player. Losing him just as he was hitting his stride is a stroke of terrible luck, especially with a schedule that includes trips to Paris, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
To make matters even more complicated, the availability of Newcastle’s other Brazilian star, Bruno Guimaraes, is still up in the air. The club captain missed the Villa match with an ankle problem, and Howe revealed that he will face a late fitness test before the team steps out at the Parc des Princes.
While there is a general feeling of optimism that Bruno will be involved in some capacity, there are major doubts about whether he has the fitness to last the full ninety minutes. If both Brazilians are unable to start, Newcastle’s “engine room” will look drastically different than it did during their successful European runs earlier in the season.
The mounting injury list is forcing Eddie Howe into some difficult decisions regarding his starting lineup. One of the most interesting dilemmas involves young talent Lewis Miley.
Under normal circumstances, Howe might have considered dropping Miley into a deeper role or even using him to provide cover at right-back to give veteran Kieran Trippier a much-needed rest. However, with the midfield options currently so thin, Miley will almost certainly be required to start in the center of the pitch.
The pressure will also be on Sandro Tonali to continue his recent run of excellent form. Tonali will be expected to cover a massive amount of ground to compensate for the absence of Joelinton’s physicality and the potential rustiness of Guimaraes.
Despite the setbacks, the mood in the camp remains resilient. Howe has often spoken about the “next man up” mentality, and he will need every bit of that spirit tomorrow night. Facing the reigning French champions on their own turf is a daunting task even with a fully fit squad; doing it with a depleted midfield is a monumental challenge.
The next few weeks will be a true test of the squad’s depth and Howe’s tactical flexibility as they try to navigate this injury crisis without letting their season slip away. For now, the focus is entirely on Paris and finding a way to get a result against the odds.
