How Joelinton could be taken out the Newcastle United firing line at Crystal Palace

Steve Bruce confirmed the attacking duo were close to fitness ahead of Arsenal but hinted the game may come too early.

And indeed it did as there was no sign of either player on the bench as United suffered a 4-0 defeat at the Emirates.

The pair’s potential return could help take the heat off Joelinton, who has again been in the firing line following the Arsenal result.

There was still no sign of Andy Carroll, however, as the 31-year-old remains sidelined with a hip injury.

Bruce, speaking last week said: “There was a time just before Christmas when he made a few assists and started a few games.

“Unfortunately, he’s picked up this injury. It’s drifted into five or six weeks, when we expected it to be 10 days.”