JOELINTON's hopes of receiving a first Brazil call-up have received a huge boost, with the national team's interim boss describing the Newcastle United midfielder as a "great player".

Joelinton wasn't included in the Brazil squad for the upcoming friendly against Morocco but Ramon Menezes has revealed that the Magpies star is very much on the radar of national selectors.

Former Brazil boss Tite watched Joelinton before the World Cup, but despite his impressive form on Tyneside, the 26-year-old was left out of the squad for Qatar.

Tite quit after Brazil's quarter-final exit in the World Cup, with Under-20s boss Menezes handed the role on an interim basis.

He's raised eyebrows with his first selection, leaving out established stars such as Alisson and Raphinha, alongside Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães, with the temporary boss keen to give opportunities to youngsters.

But he has left the door open for Joelinton for a future call-up, alongside Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli.

He said: “They (Martinelli and Joelinton) are on the national team’s radar. Martinelli is an athlete who has Olympic age, a very good player.

"Joelinton is a great player and can fit like a defensive midfielder, a midfielder, he is a strong player, who we are following and who at any time can wear the shirt of the national team.”

The comments will come as a huge boost to Joelinton, who is facing almost a month on the sidelines after he picked up his 10th yellow card of the season at Manchester City, meaning he'll now serve a two-match ban.

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He'll miss the next two games against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, and with an international break following the trip to the City Ground, Joelinton won't be back in action until the Magpies host Manchester United on April 2.

Eddie Howe thought Saturday's booking for a foul on Ruben Dias was harsh.

He said: “It was probably inevitable it would come, although we’re desperately disappointed that it was today, given the two games we've got before the international break, that's going to be a long absence for him.

“I thought it was a harsh booking for him and he plays on the edge, he's a fierce competitor, I thought he played very well again today. We're certainly going to miss him.”