Newcastle United blow as key man ruled out until April

Newcastle United will be without Joelinton for the next two Premier League matches after the Brazilian picked up his 10th yellow card of the campaign during the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City. The 25-year-old picked up the booking in the 53rd minute.

Premier League rules state any player that is shown 10 yellow cards in their side’s first 32 Premier League fixtures will serve a two-game suspension. United’s clash with Pep Guardiola’s side was the 24th fixture of the season.

Joelinton will now miss league matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park and Nottingham Forest away before the March international break.

"We’re desperately disappointed that it was today, given the two games we’ve got before the international break, that’s going to be a long absence for him,” said head coach Eddie Howe.

“I thought it was a harsh booking for him and he plays on the edge, he’s a fierce competitor, I thought he played very well again today. We’re certainly going to miss him."

Joe Willock is in contention to replace Joelinton in three-man midfield, although Howe could opt for a different formation to include the likes of Alexander Isak.

"Yeah, we had a good bench today,” Howe said after bringing Isak, Willock and Allan Saint-Maximin on as substitutes. “You just have to look at the quality the players we had, the squad was near enough at full strength, minus Fabian. We’re going to need that strength with Joe missing."