Sunderland have been handed a lift ahead of the eagerly anticipated Wear-Tyne derby after Newcastle suffered yet another injury setback. The Magpies’ 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday came at a cost, with Joelinton forced off in the second half.
Eddie Howe confirmed after the match that the Brazilian midfielder is now a doubt for Sunday’s clash at the Stadium of Light. “It looks like a groin injury,” Howe admitted. “We don’t yet know how serious it is.”
Joelinton’s issue only adds to Newcastle’s growing list of absentees. Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and goalkeeper Nick Pope have already been ruled out, leaving Howe’s side stretched ahead of the derby.
Despite the mounting injuries, Howe rejected the idea of resting players in Germany, opting instead for a near full-strength XI in a bid to secure a morale-boosting European win. He made his first changes midway through the second half, with Lewis Miley replacing Joelinton and Jacob Murphy taking the place of Harvey Barnes. Later in stoppage time, Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey were introduced for Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon.
For Sunderland, Joelinton’s potential absence represents a timely boost as they look to take advantage of a depleted Newcastle squad.