Newcastle United star will miss Manchester United clash - on one condition

Newcastle United hope to have Joelinton available for the Premier League trip to Leicester City on Monday night (kick-off 8pm).

The Brazilian played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Brentford last Wednesday but looked to be bothered by a knee problem. His right knee was heavily strapped and there was a moment in the second-half when he required on-field treatment.

But United boss Eddie Howe is hopeful Joelinton can manage the issue. He told NewcastleWorld on Friday: "We hope so, yeah. He'd be another one in the category that's got a niggle, but knowing Joey, he'll probably say he's fine today and good to train.

“We'd have to manage him and we'd have to look after him and try and navigate the next few days.”

Joelinton walking a disciplinary tightrope

If not through injury, then there’s a chance Joelinton could miss some of Newcastle’s upcoming matches.

Joelinton is just one yellow card away from serving a two-match Premier League ban. As per Premier League rules, any player cautioned 10 times in their side’s opening 32 matches is automatically handed a two-game suspension.

The Brazilian currently sits on nine yellow cards and will have to stay out the referee’s book for the next three matches against Leicester, Manchester United and Crystal Palace to avoid such punishment. A booking versus Leicester this evening would force him to sit out against Man United and Palace.

The 28-year-old has only recently returned from four weeks out with a knee issue, featuring against Brighton, West Ham and Liverpool and Brentford, as well as playing twice for Brazil against Colombia and Argentina during the international break.

Joelinton served a one-match ban earlier in the season for reaching five yellow cards. When asked about the threat of losing him to suspension, Howe said: “Yeah, unfortunately for Joey, he's a very competitive player. He's always on the line, I'd say, in terms of that side, but you need players like that in your squad.

“We'd be desperately disappointed after losing him to injury, to lose him for two games, but hopefully he can control himself like the last time he was on the precipice of a ban. I think he went a number of games without getting booked, so fingers crossed he can do the same.”

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