Newcastle United could welcome back at least one player from injury against Everton.
Eddie Howe’s side host the Toffees at St James’ Park needing a win to guarantee Champions League qualification. Anything less and the Magpies will be forced to rely on results from elsewhere.
As it stands, both Liverpool and Arsenal have guaranteed a top five finish, meaning Newcastle are among five teams competing for three places.
Manchester City currently sit third in the table after winning their game in-hand against AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday night so avoiding defeat at Fulham will secure qualification.
Fourth-place Newcastle are level on 66 points with Chelsea in fifth and Aston Villa in sixth but are above on goal difference. Nottingham Forest are seventh on 65 points.
Chelsea travel to Forest and Villa are away to Manchester United. Equalling Villa’s result would seal qualification for United.
Alexander Isak injury latest
Newcastle hope to be bolstered by the return of Alexander Isak after their top scorer missed last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal with a groin issue.
The Swede travelled with his teammates to North London the day before the game but after feeling some discomfort in his groin at the team hotel was left out of the matchday squad.
Isak was immediately sent for a scan, which showed inflammation. When asked after the Arsenal game if Isak would be fit to face Everton, Howe said: “Yeah, that's unknown. I don't know at this moment in time. He only felt pain really after training.
“He felt fine during training and then just a bit of stiffness, so he went for a scan this morning [Sunday], purely as a precaution.”
Newcastle United man spotted back in training
While doubt continues to surround Isak’s availability, Newcastle could welcome at least one senior player back against Everton.
Matt Targett has been pictured in full training this week, despite suggestions the left-back would miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old has been limited to just two Premier League appearances this campaign but his return strengthens the bench after Howe named two goalkeepers for the visit to Arsenal.
What about Joelinton?
Joelinton has been nursing a knee issue since February and after going to visit a specialist last month has missed the last four matches.
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Howe hasn’t totally ruled out Joelinton playing before the end of the campaign but admitted before the Arsenal game that the “biggest possibility” was that he wouldn’t.
“He's working away behind the scenes,” said Howe. “He's typical Joe, he's absolutely foot to the floor to try and get back fit because that's his nature. He wants to be involved, but he's not close yet. He's still working his way back. I think the biggest possibility is that we don't see him again this season, then we get him ready for next year.”
And if his wife Thays Gondim’s Instagram is anything to go by then Joelinton has been in Brazil this week, which casts further doubt over his potential involvement.
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