Newcastle United star ruled out of Ipswich Town clash - 'hopefully' return vs Aston Villa

The Brazilian is ruled out of this afternoon’s Premier League trip to Ipswich Town (kick-off 3pm) through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the 4-0 win over Leicester City last Saturday.

But there’s a chance he might have missed the game anyway.

The 28-year-old was brought off at half-time during the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Brentford after a clash with defender Nathan Collins left him hospitalised.

The Republic of Ireland international elbowed Joelinton in the face before catching the right side of his face with his studs. It left Joelinton with cuts and wounds.

Providing an update 48 hours after the incident, which went unpunished by referee Sam Barrott, Howe said: “Yeah he’s okay, he was a little bit battered and bruised with a few stitches I believe around his ear which was quite delicate.

“He had a cut mouth so with him not being available this weekend, it’s probably a good thing for him because it allows him to rest those bruises and wounds. Hopefully he’ll be fully fit for the week after.”

The former Hoffenheim man should be back in contention when United host Aston Villa at St James’ Park on Boxing Day.

But Joelinton’s absence will force Howe to rotate his three-man midfield at Portman Road. Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are set to start at Portman Road but Howe must pick between Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley.

“They have always been friends off the pitch,” said Howe when asked about Tonali and Guimaraes. “I think early on Bruno and Sandro hit a connection together.

“It is not just about those two players, I know why people focus on those two but to create a midfield dynamic that works we have three players, a third one in there that has to work as well. It is something you never stop trying to find solutions for.

“Sandro, Bruno other areas, you are always looking at who plays better between certain players, and trying to find the right chemistry. Sometimes the chemistry you can’t describe but it just happens. It is happening between our midfield. It has looked good in recent weeks.

“There is a lot of rotation, it is not one playing one position and the other the other. Sometimes that relationship building comes from playing matches together, and we didn’t have Sandro for a long time it was difficult finding those relationships in training alone.”