Newcastle United's Joelinton arrives at the ground before the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Crystal Palace FC at St James' Park on April 16, 2025
Joelinton arrives at St. James' Park ahead of Newcastle United clash
As many as 10 players could miss Newcastle United's clash against Chelsea. The Magpies will host Enzo Maresca's side at St. James' Park on Sunday afternoon as they both look to climb the Premier League.
Brighton held Newcastle to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium last weekend, denting their hopes of securing UEFA Champions League qualification. The Blues have only had a day or so to prepare after cruising past Djurgårdens in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
Maresca made wholesale changes in preparation for the trip to Tyneside despite some notable absentees. So, with that being said, the Chronicle has rounded up all the latest injury news ahead of Newcastle's clash against Chelsea.
Newcastle set to miss five players...
Newcastle are set to be without four players. At the end of March, the Magpies confirmed that Jamaal Lascelles suffered a rupture to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 1-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium.
The 31-year-old defender will miss the remainder of the season. Lewis Hall is also expected to miss the rest of the campaign after injuring a bone in his boot during the Carabao Cup final.
Like Lascelles, the 20-year-old defender required surgery. Earlier this month, Howe claimed that Joelinton could join the duo on the sidelines for the next couple of weeks after suffering a knee injury in the 3-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Speaking to reporters ahead of Newcastle's trip to the Amex Stadium last weekend, Howe said: "The likelihood is that it will be difficult [if he will play again this season]. But with Joe, you never rule him out.
"He's so motivated to try and come back. He had a bit of discomfort in his knee last week before the game, so we sought specialist opinion, and the opinion was it was nothing serious, but he needed a period of rest, so he's now in Brazil.
"We'll wait and see if we can get him back before the end of the season, but the likelihood is probably not."
Joelinton is an injury concern for Newcastle in the end of season run-in. (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Fabian Schar has been carrying a knock recently. On the 33-year-old defender, Howe added: "I'm not 100 per cent sure what's happened with Fab, he was limping. I don't know whether that was a cramp or a muscle injury, so we'll have to check."
Meanwhile, Matt Targett has been nursing a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old defender has played just five times for Newcastle across all competitions this season.
Chelsea also set to miss five players...
Chelsea are also set to be without five players. Last week, Maresca announced that Christopher Nkunku, who has struggled to impress since joining from RB Leipzig for £52m a couple of years ago, could miss the rest of the season due to injury.
"Christo will be out for, I'm not sure, I think one week, two weeks," said the Blues boss following the 3-1 win over Liverpool. "We are going to see. He will be out for the next 10 days, 15 days."
Wesley Fofana was forced to undergo surgery last month after suffering a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old defender will miss the remainder of the campaign.
Wesley Fofana congratulates team-mate Cole Palmer of Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)
Omari Kellyman also underwent surgery on a hamstring injury earlier this year. The 19-year-old midfielder, who Chelsea signed from Aston Villa for £19m last summer, is still yet to make his first-team debut for the club.
Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended from football after failing a drug test in December. There has been no update on the 24-year-old winger since the end of last year.
Aaron Anselmino is also out. The 20-year-old defender, who Chelsea recalled early from a loan spell at former club Boca Juniors back in January, has been nursing a hamstring injury. Like Kellyman, he's also yet to make his first-team debut for the club.
Marc Guiu sparked concern when he went down holding his knee during Chelsea's win over West Ham back in December. The 19-year-old striker appeared to overextend when attempting to latch onto a pass.
Marc Guiu during Chelsea's clash against Shamrock Rovers (Image: Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
He's been out of action for a while, but Maresca recently announced he could soon return from the treatment room. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Blues' clash against Djurgårdens on Thursday night, the Italian said: "We don’t have any new injuries.
"This is good for us. Everyone is fit and Marc Guiu could even be involved in tomorrow’s squad. We are not sure yet, we will make a decision on him, but he is getting closer.
"Maybe it’s better for Marc to have a few more days of training, but he is very close to being back with us. That will be very good news for us and for Marc."
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