Joelinton is targeting Newcastle United’s Premier League return against Coventry City as he closes in on his first competitive appearance of the season.
The Brazilian midfielder has been sidelined throughout the opening weeks of the campaign after suffering another muscle problem during pre-season.
However, Joelinton is now back in training and has provided a significant update on his recovery ahead of Newcastle’s return to action on Monday 12 October.
Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Live, Joelinton said: “The plan is to be back now after the international break.”
He added that he is “feeling really good” after working through his rehabilitation.
That puts the trip to Coventry firmly in his sights.
Joelinton injury return would hand Newcastle major boost
Joelinton has not played a competitive minute under Matthias Jaissle this season.
His last appearance came during pre-season before the injury ruled him out of Newcastle’s opening seven competitive matches.
The 30-year-old’s absence has been particularly significant during a period in which Jaissle has had to deal with a lengthy list of unavailable first-team players.
Nine senior players missed Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Hull City before the international break, although several are now progressing towards returns.
Read Newcastle’s Newcastle United injury tracker contains the latest updates and expected return dates across Jaissle’s squad.
Dan Burn has also indicated that he hopes to return immediately after the break, while Amar Dedic, Anthony Elanga, Nico Gonzalez and Will Osula are among those moving closer to availability.
Getting Joelinton back would significantly strengthen Newcastle’s midfield options.
Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Sean Steur have all been used during his absence, but Joelinton offers Jaissle physicality and Premier League experience that has been missing from his engine room.
He was also included in Newcastle’s new five-man leadership group earlier this month, further underlining his importance despite his lack of minutes so far this season.
Coventry now Joelinton’s target
Newcastle have more than two weeks before they next play, giving Joelinton additional time to build his fitness without missing another competitive fixture.
Jaissle’s side return against Coventry City on 12 October, with kick-off at the Coventry Building Society Arena scheduled for 8pm BST.
Joelinton’s comments do not guarantee that he will be fit enough to start, but they provide the clearest indication yet that he expects to be back in contention.
For a Newcastle side that has spent much of the opening month stretched by injuries, his return would be one of the biggest boosts Jaissle could receive during the international break.
