NEWCASTLE UNITED are set to be without Joelinton for a number of weeks after the Brazilian returned from international duty with Brazil nursing a knee problem.

Joelinton was absent from the squad for this afternoon’s 1-0 win over Brentford, which lifted the Magpies to 11th in the Premier League table.

He will not be available for Tuesday’s opening Champions League game at AC Milan, with Howe expecting him to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks.

Howe said: “Joe had a recurrence of his knee injury playing for Brazil, in the second game. It looks like he’ll be missing for a few weeks.”

Sandro Tonali was an unused substitute as Newcastle saw off Brentford, having been forced to sit out Italy’s Euros qualifying win over Ukraine last week because of a thigh issue.

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The problem is not especially serious, and Tonali should be available for Tuesday’s emotional return to the San Siro, having left AC Milan in a £55m move to Tyneside this summer.

Howe said: “Sandro didn’t train with us earlier in the week. He had a scan and had a clearance session yesterday, and came through that okay. I was only going to use him in an emergency today.”

Callum Wilson scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the second half, holding his nerve after Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken was penalised for a foul on Anthony Gordon.

Wilson was restored to the starting line-up in place of Alexander Isak, and responded with an impressive display as he led the line as a lone central striker against a five-man Brentford defence.

Howe said: “He (Wilson) led the line really well today. It probably wasn’t your trademark Callum Wilson performance, but I thought he held the ball up really well and was a real physical presence.

“He was a nuisance for them and although he probably didn’t have much in open play, he took his penalty really well. He didn’t have many clear-cut chances, but it was a brilliant display from a Newcastle number nine.”