Howe reveals big boost for Newcastle ahead of Champions League clash | OneFootball

Eddie Howe says Joelinton is ready to return to the Newcastle squad after missing the last six games through injury.

The Brazilian’s return comes at a pivotal time for the Magpies, with his club and international team-mate Bruno Guimaraes ruled out for a possible two months with a hamstring injury.

“He’s back in the squad which is a great boost for us,” Howe said on Joelinton’s return.

“He’s such an important player and a big presence in our squad. A real leader.

“He trained well yesterday and felt really good, so delighted with his return.”

Fellow midfielder Lewis Miley is also closing in on a return to action.

“He’s doing alright,” Howe said. “He’s made good progress in the last few days. We’re happy with his progress.

“He’s had a number of scans. It came from a knock and it was a really bad dead leg which gave him some muscle disruption so as soon as that’s healed, which we think it is now, we can push him on quite quickly.”

However, defender Emil Krafth is now expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

“Emil has had an operation on his knee so in all likelihood it looks like his season is over which is a blow for us,” Howe said.

“He first suffered the problem on international duty and we hoped he could come back and be okay. It was clear in training he wasn’t going to get to the level needed and there needed to be a surgical intervention.”

Newcastle travel to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday, looking to take control of the tie ahead of the second leg at St James’ Park.