Newcastle United to review transfer plans as £40m star awaits injury news

Newcastle United will reportedly reevaluate their plans for the January transfer window as they await news on a potentially season-ending injury suffered by Joelinton.

The Brazil international has continued to be an integral figure within Howe’s side throughout a challenging first half of the season - but it now seems increasingly likely the Magpies will be without their all-action midfielder for the remainder of the campaign.

The former Hoffenheim star damaged a tendon in his thigh during the FA Cup third round win at North East rivals Sunderland earlier this month and is set to meet a consultant for a final decision on whether an operation is required to resolve the issue.

Should Joelinton go under the knife, he will miss the rest of the season, robbing Howe of his most physical presence in midfield and ensuring options in the middle of the park are further depleted for the Magpies boss.  

Howe has already spent the vast majority of the season without being able to call upon the services of summer signing Sandro Tonali as he serves a ten-month suspension for breeching betting regulations and both Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson remain on the sidelines with respective Achilles and back injuries.

Lewis Miley’s impressive introduction to life at a senior level has gone some way to easing some of the pressure as the 17-year-old has looked at home in a first team environment.  However, with Bruno Guimarães now just one booking away from a two-match ban, the burden will lie on Miley and fellow academy graduate Sean Longstaff, unless Newcastle can make a move in the transfer market.

The Guardian have reported the potential season-ending injury suffered by Joelinton could force something of a rethink from the Magpies hierarchy as the final ten days of the January transfer window rapidly approaches. There has been widespread talk of a loan move for Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips - although the report revealed the United ownership had ‘vetoed’ any deal after the treble winners demanded a £7m loan fee and an obligation for a permanent deal worth around £40m during the summer.

Crystal Palace and West Ham United remain keen on Phillips and there have been suggestions the former Leeds United star’s agents have opened talks with City in a bid to persuade the reigning Premier League champions to reduce their demands and allow their client to earn regular first team football over the coming months.

Speaking last week of a potential move for the midfielder, Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: “I would like to think that if Kalvin Phillips is available and a possibility for the club. What we could then of course offer is the chance to play regular football in the Premiership in the build-up to what will be a very important summer for England and for him.  We might not be the only club in that position, so a lot will have to happen before we find out where Kalvin Phillips is going to end up if he’s going to go anywhere.”

Newcastle remain interested in Phillips - although their battles with Financial Fair Play mean every potential move will be scrutinised by the Magpies hierarchy.  The Guardian confirmed a transfer summit is set to take place this week and the outcome could decide whether a move for the England star comes to fruition.