UEFA Champions League: Newcastle boss Eddie Howe welcomes back Joelinton for Qarabag play-off, laments 'big misses' Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes

React to this story

Newcastle United have travelled to Azerbaijan for their UEFA Champions League play-off first leg tie against Qarabag on Wednesday, and manager Eddie Howe revealed that Brazilian midfielder Joelinton is ready to be included in the matchday squad. However, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley are still not ready to play, while Emil Krafth is unlikely to feature again this season.

'Football's not perfect' - Elanga hails Newcastle's team spirit

Video credit: TNT Sports

Eddie Howe has said that midfielder Joelinton is ready to feature in Newcastle United’s match against Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

A groin injury had kept the Brazilian out of action since The Magpies’ match in January against Aston Villa, but he is now in contention for the play-off first leg in Azerbaijan, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Newcastle will be hoping to secure an advantage before the return leg next week, as they look to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition for the first time in their history.

Transfers

Arsenal push to secure Guimaraes and Vinicius deals - Paper Round

23 minutes ago

"Joelinton's back in the squad, so that's a great boost for us," Howe said in his pre-match press conference. "He's such an important player, such a big presence within our squad, such a real leader.

"He trained yesterday and trained well, and felt really good. No one else from the missing list, I think, has travelled from the last game so we're missing quite a few players, quite a few real quality players as well. They're big misses for us, but we come in here in good spirits from our last two games.

"We will play our strongest team in the sense that we will try and win the game. There'll be no thinking of the schedule ahead; this game, in isolation, is hugely important."

Elanga reveals Newcastle manager Howe's best trait

Video credit: TNT Sports

While Lewis Miley is expected to be back after a knock relatively soon, this match has come too early for the youngster to be considered for selection.

"Lewy's made good progress in the last few days," Howe explained. "We're quite happy with his progress.

"He's had a number of scans; it came from a knock, which seems quite strange, but just a really bad dead leg gave some muscle disruption. So as soon as that muscle is healed, which we think it is, now we can push him on."

While Joelinton is back and ready to participate, his compatriot Bruno Guimaraes is set to attend international duty with Brazil in order to continue his rehabilitation.

Highlights: Newcastle come from behind to advance against Villa in frantic cup tie

Video credit: TNT Sports

Howe added: "We've spoken with our medical team, and we've been in consultation with the Brazilian national team.

"He's going this week with the Brazilian national team, and then comes back to us for the last four weeks.

"I think it's a good mix for Bruno; initial stages of not doing too much, he gets a sort of mental refresh while doing some good work, and then comes back to finish off his final part."

There is worse news for defender Emil Krafth, though, with the veteran out of action after knee surgery.

"Emil's had an operation on his knee, so I think, in all likelihood, it looks like the season is over, which is a real blow for us," Howe added.

"He first had the problem on international duty. We hoped that he could come back and be okay, but it became apparent in training recently that he wasn't going to get to the level needed, and there needed to be a surgical intervention."

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers