Newcastle United have been dealt a fresh setback as Brazilian midfielder Joelinton has been ruled out of the weekend clash at Craven Cottage, with further absence possible pending fitness tests.
Midfield options limited
With Jacob Ramsey suspended for the match against Fulham, head coach Matthias Jaissle faces limited choices in midfield. There is also no confirmation on whether Lewis Miley has overcome a glutes issue. Jaissle is considering starting Nico Gonzalez and Sean Steur as his two holding midfielders.
Speaking about Joelinton's absence, Jaissle said: "Lewis Miley is getting better and better, showed a good reaction now after he is back from the injury. Progress is exactly how I expected and I wished for."
Steur's potential recognised
On Joelinton, Jaissle added: "Joelinton, unfortunately he went out with an injury again, and we need to make the final treatment plan now for him and see how long he's been out."
When asked whether Steur could step into the team against Fulham, Jaissle said: "Yeah, with Sean I think we are all really clear. And he also showed that now in the last match that he can contribute a lot of good things into our game even though the match was a bit different in the end of the match against Everton but he has so much potential."
Jaissle continued: "They are similar players, definitely, similar profiles, so we need to find a way that he's able to play more minutes, as his progress is going in the right direction."
Crunch time at the weekend
Regardless of personnel, Jaissle acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match. He said: "It is on us to go again in the right direction and show better performances."
He added: "Analyse in detail, speak and then regroup. You see players, in their faces, they want to show a reaction. We need to step up in all the things we can influence, use every situation to make the smaller details better."
Jaissle concluded: "We spoke about Monday, we analysed in detail, we engaged as a group. We have such a good group, we have a good relationship with the players. We can really count on our togetherness. Everyone is fully committed."
