Newcastle United star spotted in knee brace as five players at risk of missing Arsenal & Everton

Joelinton further cemented his adopted Geordie status during Newcastle United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes saw the Magpies take a huge step towards Champions League qualification, now requiring just one win from their final two matches against Arsenal and Everton. And they did without some key players.

Kieran Trippier (calf) and Joe Willock (knee) missed out through injury, which saw Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon recalled to the starting XI for the first time in months. It also forced head coach Eddie Howe to switch from his usual 4-3-3 formation and adopt a 3-5-3 system.

There were just two minutes on the clock when Tonali opened the scoring before moments later the TNT Sports cameras spotted a certain Joelinton in the stands. The Brazilian, unavailable due to a knee injury, watched on from one of the executive boxes with his family.

But Joelinton wasn’t just wearing any normal gear! No, he and his wife Thays Gondim were captured wearing the 1995-97 home shirt in a throwback to the famous Kevin Keegan Entertainers era.

Joelinton spotted wearing knee brace

Eagle-eyed supporters may have also spotted Joelinton wearing a knee brace.

The 28-year-old visited a specialist last month having been nursing a knee issue since February and has subsequently missed the last three matches.

Joelinton returned to Brazil for a short period before going to Barcelona for an injection. Howe hasn’t ruled out the midfielder returning before the end of the campaign but admits it is unlikely.

Speaking on Friday, Howe said: “I saw Joe yesterday for the first time in a while. He'd been away getting treatment and returned to Brazil briefly, but he's been back in Barcelona for another injection.

“I think he's feeling pretty good. Whether we see him before the end of the season, I'm not sure.”

A week earlier, Howe said: “With Joe, you'd never rule him out. I think he's so motivated to try and come back, but there was a bit of discomfort in his knee last week just before the game so he sought a specialist opinion.

“That opinion was nothing serious, but he needed a period of rest. He's now in Brazil so we'll wait and see if we can get him back before the end of the season. But the likelihood is probably not.”

Newcastle United could be without five players for Arsenal and Everton

In addition to Joelinton, Lewis Hall and Matt Targett have already been ruled out until next season, while Howe admits Trippier and Willock are at risk of missing the remaining two games.

“We don’t think they’re big injuries, but there’s such a short amount of time left now before the end of the season,” Howe said after the Chelsea win. “We’d love to get them back fit, and able to play a part, but at this moment in time, I’ve not really got any idea whether or not that’s possible.

“I think we’re missing some big players. Whenever you do that, there’s a gap. I thought the lads that came in did really well, they filled that gap superbly, and from my perspective, that’s what you’re looking for.

“You want people to step up and show their qualities, and when you’re bringing in people like Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon, they’re top-class players. I thought they both played well, but below that, of course we’re now slightly stretched.

“We’ll see if we can get a couple of players back. Of course, and I’ve made no attempt to hide form this fact, the summer window will be a big window for us.”

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