'Groin issue' – Eddie Howe details major Newcastle United injury blow ahead of Sunderland game
Newcastle face a fresh injury concern before Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby as Eddie Howe confirms a groin issue for Joelinton
Newcastle United appear to be facing another fitness concern ahead of Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby after Joelinton was forced off during their 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night.
The Brazilian midfielder was withdrawn in the second half with what appeared to be a muscular problem, shortly before 19-year-old Lewis Miley came off the bench to score and become the club’s youngest ever Champions League goalscorer. Miley’s header followed Anthony Gordon’s earlier strike as Eddie Howe’s side earned a point away from home.
Speaking after the match, Howe confirmed the issue relates to Joelinton’s groin, though the full extent of the injury is not yet known. Howe said in Germany: “It looks like a groin issue. I don't know how serious it is at this moment in time.”
The timing leaves the midfielder as a clear doubt for Sunday’s derby at the Stadium of Light, adding to an already lengthy absentee list. Newcastle are still without Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and William Osula, while goalkeeper Nick Pope remains a major doubt as he continues his recovery.
Should Joelinton miss out, Miley may be promoted into the starting line-up. The teenager has been one of Newcastle’s bright points in recent weeks, producing a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win over Everton last month and impressing again in Germany.
Howe praised the midfielder’s contribution against Leverkusen. He said: “Yeah, he's doing really well, and I think that's all you can ask for from any player when they enter the pitch. They give their best, they contribute, and they prove how good they are. I thought he did that in the time he was on the pitch.
“He scored a great goal. I'm really disappointed in him that it wasn't a match-defining moment. He's growing in his stature, and I mean aerially as well as physically. He's six foot four. He should contribute aerially with the tools that he has, but that was a great header. You've seen his presence on the pitch. I think he's imposing himself more, and he's a very, very good player.”
Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday for the first Premier League meeting between the sides in ten years, with kick-off at 2pm.
Régis Le Bris offers injury update
Régis Le Bris says Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra is set to miss next weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby, with the head coach admitting the fixture against Newcastle United will likely come too soon for the 21-year-old.
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Diarra has been stepping up his recovery following groin surgery earlier this season and had been in a race to return in time for the derby. While progress has been positive, Le Bris believes the timing will work against him. The Frenchman did, however, offer encouragement elsewhere, revealing that Reinildo is expected to return after sitting out the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City with a groin issue. "For Rei, it could be okay but for Habib, it would be too short, I think," Le Bris said.
Sunderland will also have Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki available for the derby after both avoided a booking at the Etihad. Le Bris moved to withdraw the pair late on, protecting them for Sunday’s clash, with Romaine Mundle and Simon Adingra introduced instead.
Le Bris later explained his decision not to turn to Dan Neil was to keep attacking momentum, with Lutsharel Geertruida pushed into midfield. "Yes, because we tried to stay in the game, to provoke something," he said. "I think with offensive players on the side, it was more or less the idea. It didn't work, but we tried."