The key figure Newcastle will miss for two games
Eddie Howe's bid to steer Newcastle out of their current slump has been hampered by the impending suspension of Joelinton.
Newcastle have lost their last three matches across all competitions by the same 2-0 scoreline, including the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United last month. The Magpies have not won a Premier League match since mid-January and are the lowest scorers in the entire division this calendar year with just three goals.
Though Howe's side remain fifth going into the final third of the campaign, they will be without Joelinton for the next two matches. Here's everything you need to know about the all-action Brazilian's suspension.
Why is Joelinton suspended for two games?
Much has been made of the wealth of Newcastle's controversial owners afforded to Howe since last season's takeover but the former Bournemouth boss has reaped the rewards of a big-money signing that arrived before PIF and company.
Joelinton was signed as a £40m number nine in 2019 but has been reborn under Howe as a box-to-box midfielder. Only three Premier League players have won more tackles than Joelinton this season as the long-limbed 26-year-old bounds around the pitch from the middle of the team's 4-3-3. However, only two players in England's top flight have made more fouls than the Brazilian.
Howe conceded that there was an inevitability to Joelinton's tenth yellow card of the season, which arrived in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime. Having already served a one-match ban for after his fifth booking back in autumn, Joelinton has been slapped with a two-game suspension after hitting double digits for cautions.
"He plays on the edge, he’s a fierce competitor and I thought he played very well again today, so we’re going to certainly miss him," Howe admitted. "I thought it was a harsh booking."
Only Fulham's Joao Palhinha has had his name taken by Premier League referees as often as Joelinton this term.
What Newcastle games will Joelinton miss?
Joelinton may only miss two matches but he won't get the chance to play for Newcastle again until after April Fool's Day at the earliest with the international break scheduled for the end of March.
Sunday 12 March - Wolves (H)
Newcastle have only collected seven Premier League points in 2023. Wolves can boast double that tally with 14 in the same time frame. Julen Lopetegui's side will travel up to St James' Park riding high from a hard-fought 1-0 win against Tottenham on Saturday which was sparked by a half-time formation switch from the wily Spanish coach.
Allan Saint-Maximin rescued a point for Newcastle in the reverse fixture at Molineux with a last-gasp volley when Bruno Lage was still at the helm of the hosts. Without Joelinton's industry, Newcastle may again struggle to contain the devastatingly technical trio of Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Joao Moutinho in Wolves' midfield.
Friday 17 March - Nottingham Forest (A)
Newcastle's final match before the international break, and the last of Joelinton's suspension, is an away game against Nottingham Forest. The Magpies haven't played a top-flight match at the City Ground in the 21st century and haven't lost at that venue in the league since 1989 when Brian Clough was the hosts' manager.
Forest extended their Premier League unbeaten run at home to nine matches with a breathless 2-2 draw against Everton. No team has beaten Steve Cooper's side in the top flight on their own patch since Fulham prevailed 3-2 in September.
Newcastle will have to try to break that streak without the enigmatic, but ill-disciplined, Joelinton.