'Weeks not months': Craig Hope delivers injury update after Joelinton failed to make NUFC squad to face Arsenal

Earlier in the week Newcastle United boss, Eddie Howe had suggested that Joelinton was in contention to take part in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final game against Arsenal.

Joelinton was pictured wearing a knee brace on his Instagram after the defeat against Fulham which Howe assured reporters was merely precautionary.

It was reported that Joelinton had headed to London to see a specialist about his injury too, which must have given a different story than what Eddie Howe was expecting.

When the teamsheet was released, last night, Joelinton's name was nowhere to be seen.

Joelinton faces a race to be fit for Wembley

Joelinton's absence may have been a big reason behind the tactical shift that saw Newcastle play with three centre-backs last night, at least that's what Craig Hope believed as he spoke about the game on his YouTube channel.

Hope also gave an update on Joelinton and Newcastle will have to do without Thanos for a matter of weeks rather than months, but Hope did say it would be a race for him to be fit for the Carabao Cup final.

Sandro Tonali and Sven Botman also came off with complaints last night, giving Eddie Howe a fright.

Sven Botman came off complaining about his knee on Wednesday night

Sandro Tonali had a case of cramp, but the bit worry was Sven Botman complaining about his knee.

We don't know whether it was the knee that gave him the problems last year on which he had surgery, but either way, it's not good news.

We expect that Eddie Howe will give us an update on Friday morning in his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup game against Birmingham.