Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered the latest update on the fitness of Joelinton ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
The 28-year-old has formed a successful partnership with Brazilian compatriot Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in Newcastle's midfield, chipping in with four goals and three assists in 37 games this season.
However, Joelinton missed the Magpies' 3-0 home win against Ipswich Town in the Premier League last weekend as he attended an appointment with a specialist to determine the extent of a knee injury.
Joelinton has suffered with knee problems in the past, missing five matches earlier this year as a result, and he has now been advised to not take part against Brighton and rest for Newcastle's final four games of the campaign.
Howe has since confirmed that Joelinton is back in his native Brazil and has admitted that the likelihood of the midfielder featuring before the Premier League season comes to a close "will be difficult", meaning that he is set to miss games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton.
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Joelinton 'likely' to miss rest of season with knee injury
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Howe said: "The likelihood is that it will be difficult [if Joelinton will play again this season], but with Joe you never rule him out. He's so motivated to try and come back.
"He had a bit of discomfort in his knee last week before the game so we sought specialist opinion and the opinion was it was nothing serious but he needed a period of rest so he's now in Brazil.
"We'll wait and see if we can get him back before the end of the season but the likelihood is probably not."
Joelinton has joined Jamaal Lascelles (ACL), Lewis Hall (foot) and Matt Targett (thigh) in the treatment room, but defender Sven Botman made a welcome return to the matchday squad against Ipswich, featuring as a second-half substitute after recovering from a minor knee operation.
"He came through last weekend OK," Howe said on Botman. "He trained again this week and looks good so it's been positive to have him back."
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Botman, Willock in contention to feature against Brighton
While Botman is in contention to return to the starting lineup ahead of either Fabian Schar or Dan Burn, Howe is likely to call upon Joe Willock to take the place of Joelinton in midfield - Willock was handed his first PL start since February last weekend.
"We still have a lot of faith in Joe and he's a like for like replacement [for Joelinton], with a lot of his best work on the left-hand side of the pitch as Joelinton does," said Howe.
"He's got goalscoring instincts, is a very attack minded player, very quick and athletic and a good ball carrier.
"Joe has had some important contributions this season, most notably in the Carabao Cup where he's scored some big goals for us. No doubting his quality but he probably needs that run of games to be at his very best so hopefully he can show that."
At the time of writing, Newcastle sit third in the Premier League table, but the could slip to fourth if fellow Champions League contenders Manchester City avoid defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night.
Oliver Thomas
