SEAN LONGSTAFF and Joelinton are both injury worries ahead of Newcastle United’s home game with Southampton on Sunday.
The Magpies duo both picked up knocks in last night’s 4-1 win at Everton that will be assessed over the course of the next 48 hours.
Longstaff was injured in a challenge during the first half and needed two bouts of treatment to enable to continue beyond the half-time interval. However, he eventually signalled that he needed to come off and was replaced by Alexander Isak in the 74th minute.
Joelinton made it to the final whistle, but the Brazilian was complaining of a slight soreness in his hamstring prior to kick-off and appeared to struggling slightly at various stages of last night’s game.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “I couldn’t work out whether Sean was saying that he wanted to come off or whether he wanted to stay on. In the end, he said he needed to come off, but fingers crossed it’s not too bad.
“I’d say Joelinton definitely moved better in the second half. He had a feeling in his hamstring pre-game – not really a feeling, more of just a bit of tiredness in one of the hamstrings pre-game. But he assured me he was fine and he played really well in the second half so fingers crossed he’s okay.”
READ MORE:
- Eddie Howe explains the 'dream scenario' that is key to Newcastle's sparkling attack
- Match Ratings - Callum Wilson is star man in Newcastle's 4-1 win over Tottenham
Howe made three changes for last night’s game, with the decision to leave Isak and Jacob Murphy selection-driven.
Dan Burn was also on the bench, but the defender’s absence from the starting line-up was because of a pre-match illness issue rather than a decision to start with Matt Targett.
Howe said: “It’s always difficult when you’ve got decisions to make. I’ve got to look at the balance of the team and make the right decisions, not just for this game but also for the games that are ahead. There’s a plan behind my thinking.
“Dan Burn was a slightly different situation (to Murphy and Isak) because he wasn’t feeling very good in the build-up to the game. But I thought Matt Targett did really well, and I think that shows the strength of the squad. It’s good to see players coming in and taking their opportunities.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here