The Magpies midfielder experienced pain in his knee in the build-up to last weekend’s game with Ipswich Town and was omitted from the squad for the 3-0 win at St James’ Park.
He was subsequently sent to a meeting with a specialist, and while there is not currently a need for any surgery, Joelinton has been instructed to rest to prevent inflicting any further damage.
As a result, he has returned to his homeland, and while Eddie Howe has not completely ruled out him returning to action at some stage in the next three weeks, there is every chance he has already made his final appearance of the campaign.
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“The likelihood is that it’ll be difficult (for him to play again this season),” admitted the Newcastle boss. “Although with Joe, you never rule him out. He’s so motivated to try to come back.
“He had a bit of discomfort in his knee last week though, just before the game. It’s related to the knee (problem) he had recently. He just wasn’t feeling 100 per cent.
“He sought a specialist opinion, and that opinion was that it was nothing serious, but he needed a period of rest. He’s now in Brazil, and so we’ll wait to see if we can get him back before the end of the season. But the likelihood is probably not.”
Sven Botman has had his own knee issues in the course of the last 12 months, but the centre-half returned to action when he made a late substitute in last weekend’s win over Ipswich.
The Dutchman has come through a full week of training unscathed and is expected to be on the bench for the second game in a row when Newcastle take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
“He (Botman) came through the game okay, and has trained again this week and looked good,” said Howe. “It’s a big positive to get Sven back.”
Jamaal Lascelles is also back in training after undergoing cruciate-ligament surgery in the second half of last season, but unless Newcastle suffer a spate of defensive injuries in the next few weeks, the club captain is unlikely to feature in the final four games of the campaign.
“Jamaal is making good progress, and I’m really pleased with how he looks since coming back to training,” said Howe. “It has been a slow, steady return – he’s certainly not been rushed.
“Possible, he could be involved before the end of the season, but I think maybe it would depend on injuries with some of the other players within the squad. Maybe for Jamaal, it would be better if it was next season. But if he feels good and he’s done enough training, then it’s something we’ll look at.”
