NEWCASTLE UNITED have suffered another major injury blow with Joelinton set to be sidelined for around six weeks.

The Brazilian midfielder suffered an injury to the tendons in his quadricep muscles when he stretched to make a pass shortly before half-time in last weekend’s FA Cup derby win at Sunderland.

He attempted to continue at the start of the second half, but was quickly forced to admit defeat and subsequent scans have revealed significant muscular damage.

It is anticipated he will be sidelined until the start of March at the earliest, with his absence further reducing Eddie Howe’s options in an area of the field where he is already without a number of senior figures.

“The prospects over the next couple of weeks aren’t good,” said the Magpies boss. “It’s an injury that will see him miss probably a minimum of six weeks. It’s a real blow for us because he’s such an important player.

“He’s had a very stop-start season, unfortunately. He was so consistent last year in his selection, but this year he’s had a few different problems.

“It’s another freak injury where he was off balance, got pushed in the back, and his leg goes at an awkward angle and ends up with an injury. Unfortunately, for us, any injury we’ve picked up this year hasn’t been a one or two-week one, it’s been six-to-eight weeks. We’re really stretched in the attacking and midfield areas, and we have been for a long time.”

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Joelinton is unavailable for tomorrow’s home game with Manchester City, and Howe does not expect to have any of his absent players back in the squad to face the champions.

Jacob Murphy is back in light training though, and could be able to feature in the away game at Aston Villa that follows the ten-day break in the aftermath of the Manchester City game.

Harvey Barnes has also stepped up his recovery programme in the last week or so, although he still remains a bit further away from a first-team return.

“Jacob is close,” said Howe. “He has joined in training with us, although only on a non-contact basis. He’s been in and around the team though, which has been great. His personality is really good, so he’s been a big player to have back with us training.

“Harvey is getting closer. He hasn’t been training with the group, but he’s been running on the grass with his boots back on and he’s been kicking balls around. We’re pleased with his progress currently, but he still has a long way to go.”

Callum Wilson is also still recovering from his hamstring problems, but he too could be back in the side to face Villa at the end of this month.

“We’re well aware of what Callum’s problem is and the timescale on it,” said Howe. “We’re hoping that he can be back in and around for the Aston Villa game, that’s what we’re looking at. Obviously, if it takes a bit longer, we’ll take that time, but we don’t see it being a long-term issue.”