'Like-for-like': Eddie Howe drops massive hint on team selection ahead of Sunday's game against Brighton

Eddie Howe has a huge call to make in the midfield for Newcastle United's game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday - 2pm kick-off live on Sky Sports.

Last week Joelinton missed the game against Ipswich Town after a long-persisting knee problem started to get a bit too much for the Brazilian to bear.

A specialist has since advised the £40 million star to rest up, but has said that the injury isn't too serious, which is a bit of good news at least.

Eddie Howe drafted in Joe Willock to replace Joelinton on Saturday and while he wasn't terrible, he didn't really make any significant mark on the game causing fans to debate his future at the club.

Eddie Howe hints that Joe Willock will start on Sunday

We've said that we'd prefer Howe to go with Lewis Miley in the middle on Sunday, but it sounds as though the gaffer his set to stick with Willock after telling reporters on Friday morning (via The Chronicle) that he has a lot of faith in the former Arsenal man.

"Yeah, we still have a lot of faith in Joe [Willock] and I think he's a like-for-like replacement really. He does a lot of his best work on the left-hand side of the pitch, as Joelinton does.

"For me, he's got goal scoring instincts, he's a very attack-minded player, very quick and athletic, a really good ball carrier, and let's not forget Joe's had some important contributions this season - most notably, really in the Carabao Cup, where he scored some big goals for us.

"But also my mind goes back to the Arsenal game, at the Emirates, where I thought he was excellent that day, so no doubting his quality. Yes, he probably needs to feel that run of games to be at his very best. Hopefully, he can show that."

We're not convinced Joe Willock is a like-for-like replacement for Joelinton

While we disagree with Eddie Howe that Willock is a like-for-like replacement for Joelinton, we do agree with everything else he said about Willock.

His attacking instincts are probably the best out of all of our midfielders, but sometimes his ability doesn't match his intentions, which is strange because we all know he has the ability. Perhaps it's a confidence thing, or a lack of match sharpness.

Have I just talked myself into wanting Willock to start on Sunday and have a run in the side? I think I might have.

Is Eddie Howe a Jedi?