Newcastle United fresh injury concern that wasn’t mentioned after Arsenal loss - doubt for Leeds

A Martin Odegaard strike and Fabian Schar own goal saw Newcastle fall to only their second defeat of the season at St James’ Park as they remained third in the Premier League table heading into the final four matches. In the closing stages of the match, Brazilian midfielder Joelinton was withdrawn in what appeared to be a tactical change at the time as Elliot Anderson was introduced.

But the Newcastle No. 7 looked to be in some discomfort after the game as he struggled to climb the six steps out of the tunnel before limping heavily out of St James’ Park. Magpies head coach Eddie Howe provided an injury update following the match but refrained from mentioning Joelinton’s name.

Concern is growing over midfielder Sean Longstaff after he missed his second consecutive match with a foot injury. The 25-year-old is now set to see a specialist on Tuesday for further assessment and remains a doubt for the trip to Leeds United on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).

“I certainly hope we’ll see him again [this season],” Howe said. “But he’s going to see a specialist on Tuesday just to get double-checked.

“We thought it was quite a standard injury, maybe a bruise, but there may be a chance of something a little bit more serious than that. We’re in the dark at the moment.”

Longstaff is yet to return to training following his foot injury picked up against Everton at Goodison Park last month. Howe will be hoping Joelinton’s knock is not too serious or else he risks having to change his midfield up once again for the visit to Elland Road.