Joelinton's Newcastle United absence explained as Eddie Howe forced into reshuffle

Newcastle United have been forced to battle on without Joelinton against Ipswich Town.

The ex-Hoffenheim man misses out with a knee issue and is seeing a specialist today after suffering in the aftermath of the 4-1 loss at Aston Villa last weekend. It offered Joe Willock the opportunity to stake his claim with the ex-Arsenal star getting the nod ahead of North Shields lad Sean Longstaff and youngster Lewis Miley.

Howe said before the game: "We miss Joelinton, he's going to be a big miss for us but Willock has great qualities as well. We're looking forward to seeing how he does, and we have a strong bench as well."

The South American star had made 39 appearances this season for club and country with four goals to his name but his presence will be a hammer blow to Eddie Howe on his return to the dugout after he suffered a knee injury. The big positive for head coach Howe was that Dutch defender and ex-Ajax kid Sven Botman returned to the bench after a long-term knee injury.

Botman last played against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and is itching for his chance. For Ipswich, Liam Delap returned to the starting XI after a recent rib injury.

Speaking before the game, Jacob Murphy had said in his programme notes: "This is our home and it needs to feel really uncomfortable for the opposition teams.

"On behalf of the team, I ask the fans to bring their voice and bring their passion because we're going to need them to help us get over the line. As we've seen so many times, we feed off one another. We're connected and when the connection from the stands to the pitch is fully charged, we come out on top."

UNITED: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Bruno, Willock; Barnes, Murphy, Isak.

Subs: Ruddy, Dubravka, Botman, Krafth, Longstaff, Miley, Gordon, Osula, Wilson