Eddie Howe is sweating over the fitness of Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton ahead of the crucial Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
The Gunners travel to St James’ Park on Wednesday night looking to overturn a two-goal deficit and book their place in the final.
Mikel Arteta’s side have a mountain to climb after being beaten 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the first leg last month.
They are, however, in fine fettle following a hugely impressive 5-1 victory over Premier League champions Manchester City at the weekend.
Newcastle lost 2-1 at home to Fulham on Saturday in a game in which Joelinton also suffered a potentially costly injury.
The Brazilian, who has featured in all but two of Newcastle’s Premier League games this season, was forced off with a knee injury and pictured wearing a brace over the weekend.
Howe says Joelinton is a ‘doubt’ for the Arsenal clash but will give him every chance to prove his fitness in the build-up to the crucial fixture.
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‘Yes, Joey was, after the game, put in a knee brace just as a precaution, he’s out of that knee brace now,’ Howe said at his pre-match press conference.
‘We’ll assess how he is for this game. I’d say he’s a doubt, but we give him every minute we can to try and make him fit