Newcastle United handed surprise £40m injury boost v Burnley & West Ham after Liverpool issue

Joelinton was a surprise name in Newcastle United’s starting XI for Wednesday’s 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Manchester City. Not because of his footballing ability (obviously) but because he’d previously been ruled out with a knee injury.

The Brazilian had missed the last three matches against Brentford, AC Milan and Sheffield United after aggravating the knee issue he picked up at home to Liverpool last month on international duty.

Having initially been expected to miss a “few weeks”, Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe revealed last week that the 27-year-old could return earlier than anticipated. And so that proved as Joelinton returned to the starting line-up for the visit of the English and European champions.

He played a key role, too, having set up Alexander Isak’s winning strike in the 53rd minute.

Talking about his recovery, Joelinton said: “I’m so pleased to be back with the team. For me, it was a long week out. I tried to recover to come back as quickly as possible. I did everything I could to be back with the team so I’m very happy.

“The game against Liverpool I felt something in my knee which carried into Brighton and then the national team. When I came back, I knew I had to stop because I didn’t want to play to not help the team. I was not feeling my best so I had to stop and take care of myself and come back better.

“I feel good to be back. I put so much work in last week to come back. I was happy I had a chance to start the game. I knew I had to respond and come back strong.”

Meanwhile, Howe was also pleased with how the £40million signing looked physically, despite limited training time,

Howe said: “It was the plan to involve him if he was fit and he passed that test a few days ago so we were delighted to get him back, he’s such an important player.

“Even in that first-half he was probably the one player who was winning duels and getting close to his opponents. He was the one who nicked the ball for Jacob Murphy’s chance in that first period so I was pleased with Joe, I thought it was a good return to form for him.

“Physically he looked good even though he’s had limited training.”

Newcastle turn their attention to Burnley on Saturday afternoon before hosting Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League three days later.