The Newcastle United squad and coaching staff have arrived in Baku, completing the 2,500 trip to Azerbaijan ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with Qarabag.
Eddie Howe has just been speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday’s 5.45pm kick-off, where we’ll be looking to secure a strong first leg result ahead of next Tuesday’s return fixture at St James’ Park.
Discussing our injury situation, Howe had some good and bad news to share, with the major boost being Joelinton’s return.
The big Brazilian is back with the squad and could feature after missing the last month with a groin issue, but Emil Krafth’s season is over, with Howe revealing that the Swedish defender requires surgery on his knee.
It also sounds like Joelinton will be the only change to our squad from Aston Villa, meaning Lewis Miley looks set to miss out again along with Sven Botman, Yoane Wissa, Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar
“Joelinton is back with us, which is a great boost for us. He’s such an important player and a big presence in our squad. A real leader.
“He trained well yesterday and felt really good, so delighted with his return.”
“Emil (Krafth) has had an operation on his knee so in all likelihood it looks like his season is over which is a blow for us.
“He first suffered the problem on international duty and we hoped he could come back and be OK. It was clear in training he wasn’t going to get to the level needed and there needed to be a surgical intervention.”
Discussing the challenge ahead and his determination to give all his attention to Qarabag despite the busy schedule, Howe added.
“We will play our strongest team and we will try to win the game. There will be no thinking of the schedule ahead, this game in isolation is hugely important.”
“Qarabag we respect. Trying to compare them to a Premier League team is difficult.”
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