‘I will support from home’ - Newcastle United star confirms he will miss Southampton clash

Joelinton has reacted to being ruled out of Newcastle United’s trip to Southampton on Sunday afternoon. The Brazilian will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa last weekend.

The 26-year-old scored the Magpies’ third goal against Villa when he reacted quickest to Callum Wilson’s shot that was parried by Robin Olsen. Joelinton passionately celebrated in front of the Gallowgate End in what was his first goal at St James’ Park in almost a year.

Joelinton ruled out of Southampton visit

However, five minutes later, Joelinton was booked for bringing down Tyrone Mings and as a result will miss the visit to St Mary’s. Any player who is shown five cautions in the opening 19 Premier League games are forced to serve a one-match ban.

Joelinton started the previous two games - including the 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur - on the left wing with Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff forming the three-man midfield. Joelinton’s absence likely means a recall for either Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy or Ryan Fraser on the South Coast.

“I will support them from home,” Joelinton told NUFCTV. “The team is doing well, so I hope we can have a good game at the weekend and take the three points home. We just have to keep working hard and keep the togetherness. When we train, we give our best every day to be better every day. We still have three games to play (before the World Cup break), I hope we can finish well.”

The complete transformation story

Joelinton has established himself as a key player in Eddie Howe’s starting XI after the Magpies head coach transformed the Brazilian from a £40million flop into a combative central midfielder. Last season, the former Hoffenheim man won the club’s Player of the Year award.

The player’s transformation has proven to be more than just a flash in the pan. Newcastle currently sit fourth in the Premier League table after the opening 13 games and have lost just one game this campaign. Last month, United recorded five wins and one dr

“It is very exciting.,” Joelinton said. “We are very happy and are working very hard. We just have to keep working hard, keep doing things right and make the fans happy.

“It was nice, my first goal of the season and my family was here as well. It’s a long time since they’ve come here since Covid I think. It was special to have my family in the stadium and score in front of them, and of course, score in front of the coach of Brazil. But the most important thing for me is to score and get the three points.