Howe issues injury update on Joelinton, Wilson and Barnes ahead of Arsenal semi-final

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning, offering an update on injuries and availability heading into tomorrow night’s massive Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at home to Arsenal.

Newcastle head into the match with a 2-0 lead after beating Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Emirates last month, giving us a huge opportunity to make March’s final at Wembley.

This morning, the north east press pack have sat down with Howe to find out if Joelinton, Wilson and Barnes could be fit for tomorrow’s game. Here’s what he had to say:

Howe issued Joelinton update

It’s good and bad news on Joelinton, who picked up a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham which forced him off in the second half.

Howe has revealed that the Brazilian is out of a knee brace he was pictured wearing on Sunday, insisting he wore this as a “precaution” over the weekend.

However, he remains a “doubt” for the Arsenal match, but will be given “every chance” to prove his fitness over the next 24 hours.

Howe said: “Joey had a knee brace on as a precaution. I would say he is a doubt, but we will give him every chance to be fit. Our centre midfield, we have good strength in depth – Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock – they all bring something different.”

Should Joelinton miss out, Howe has three options available to him in Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley.

Wilson hope, two still out

Callum Wilson is back in training and could make the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since early December.

Our No.9 hasn’t featured since our 4-2 defeat at Brentford and was only involved in part of our training sessions last week, but it seems he’s stepping things up and could return.

On Wilson, Howe said: “There is a chance, we have another training session to get through so we will see. Let’s get through training before we make a decision.”

Barnes, however, will not make the game as he continues his recovery from a thigh issue picked up in our FA Cup win over Bromley, with he and Jamaal Lascelles both ruled out.

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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