- Newcastle host Sunderland at St James’ Park
- Eddie Howe talks up Joelinton
- Two Magpies unavailable
Eddie Howe has highlighted Joelinton as a potential difference-maker in Newcastle United’s encounter with Sunderland today (March 22nd). The Magpies face the Black Cats at St James’ Park, looking to prevent the visitors from doing the double over them.
A Tyne-Wear derby is often a feisty affair, and a hotly contested game is anticipated between the two sides. Howe’s men are wounded following a humiliating 7-2 defeat (8-3 on aggregate) to Barcelona in the Champions League midweek.
Joelinton returned for the game after starting on the bench in a 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend. The Brazilian midfielder had been nursing a toe injury but came on in the second half.
Howe on ‘Massive’ Joelinton
Joelinton wasn’t fit to face Sunderland in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light in December. He watched on from the stands as his side fell to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a Nick Woltemade own goal.
Howe is pleased to have the Brazilian available today and suggested he could be influential for the Magpies. He told reporters:
“Joe is a massive player for us in these big games. Going back to that [Sunderland away] game he was a player we couldn’t use and we have had a few instances like that this season where big players have not been able to help us and there is nothing more frustrating for them when you feel you can make the difference.”
He added:
“When you feel you can bring different qualities that you feel that the team are missing and you are not able to deliver it.”
Joelinton hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons but remains a key man for Howe. The 29-year-old has appeared 38 times across competitions this season, posting six goals and two assists.
No Tonali or Guimaraes
The bad news for Newcastle is that the game has come too soon for Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder has been ruled out of the derby due to a groin problem he sustained against Barca.
Tonali is at St James’ Park to watch his teammates but hasn’t fully recovered in time. He will sit out the game alongside Bruno Guimaraes, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Howe will thus be without two of his most important players while Joelinton is without his usual midfield partners, but that was the case against Chelsea.
Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock started the game alongside Nick Woltemade. Howe continues to use German striker Woltemade as a midfielder.
