Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle has been hit by a new injury setback ahead of the Premier League’s big kick off, leaving him with another selection problem to solve before the opening game of the campaign.
The latest setback comes at a difficult time for Newcastle, with the club already facing important decisions in midfield. Jaissle now has to deal with another absence before the first major test of the season, with Liverpool waiting in the opening game.
The injury news also comes amid Newcastle’s continued links with Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha, after his proposed move to Aston Villa broke down. Jaissle had already warned in his post-game Press conference that there would be changes, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his midfield options.
The Brazilian’s injury remains unspecified, but Joelinton will be out for the Liverpool game and will miss at least a fortnight of action. His absence leaves Jaissle short-handed ahead of the Premier League’s big kick off, with Newcastle needing to find a solution in central midfield.
It comes as Newcastle were linked heavily with Joao Palhinha of Bayern Munich after his move to Aston Villa broke down. The midfielder has been linked with Newcastle as United are said to be looking for a new central midfielder following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali during the summer transfer window.
Jaissle warned in his post-game Press conference: “There will be changes.” The Newcastle boss was speaking after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, a result that came with another injury concern for the team as preparations continue ahead of the Premier League season.
Jaissle confirmed the Joelinton injury news shortly after the £40m former Hoffenheim star – who played alongside Jaissle at the Bundesliga club – missed the 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. His absence was therefore confirmed at a time when Newcastle are already assessing their midfield options and looking at possible changes.
Speaking after the game, Jaissle said: “Joelinton will be missing for at least two weeks. This is something we need to solve soon. Full details will soon follow.” The Newcastle boss made clear that the absence would extend beyond the immediate fixture, meaning the midfielder will miss the start of the campaign.
When pressed on Joelinton’s injury, Jaissle added: “He will miss, for sure, the first weeks.” The confirmation means Newcastle will have to begin the season without him for at least the opening weeks, while the exact nature of the injury remains unspecified.
Joelinton missed 10 matches with various injuries, including groin, shin and hamstring problems, and was also missing earlier in pre-season during the last days of Eddie Howe. His latest setback therefore comes after a period in which he had already experienced several different injury problems.
But his return under Jaissle appears to have lasted just 45 miniutes after he played against Everton in the 3-1 defeat at Murrayfield on Wednesday. The midfielder had returned to action under the new boss, but the latest injury means that return has now been followed by another spell on the sidelines.
Newcastle fielded Lewis Miley and Sean Steur in central midfield against Leverkusen, with the former playing the first 45 minutes. The pair were used in the middle of the pitch during the 2-1 defeat, with Newcastle having to manage their options after the latest injury setback.
United are said to be looking for a new central midfielder after losing Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the summer transfer wndow. The situation leaves Jaissle needing to work with his available midfield options, while the club continues to be linked with a possible move for Joao Palhinha following the collapse of his proposed move to Aston Villa.
The injury setback leaves Newcastle with another issue to solve before the Premier League’s big kick off. With Liverpool the first opponent and Joelinton ruled out for at least two weeks, Jaissle will have to make changes to his midfield options while the club continues to assess its need for another central midfielder.