Newcastle United suffer double injury blow ahead of Arsenal and Burnley games

Newcastle United midfield pair Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock are likely to miss the remainder of the campaign.

Following the Magpies’ 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, head coach Eddie Howe explained why the duo were absent from the matchday squad.

Both players started in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool last time out but neither made the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Indeed, neither Shelvey or Willock are likely to play again this season, as revealed by Howe.

“Joe has had a knee problem for a couple of months,” Howe revealed. We felt it was gone but it came back against Liverpool last week, so it looks like his season is over.

“Jonjo has a calf injury, which is quite similar to the one he had at the start of this season, so it looks like both players are out for the season.”

In their place, Sean Longstaff was selected, while Joelinton moved back into midfield to partner the former and Bruno Guimaraes.

It will present an opportunity to Longstaff, who Howe hopes to tie down to a new contract with his current set to expire at the end of the campaign.