The Magpies will be without Emil Krafth for the rest of the season while patience is needed for Lewis Miley
Eddie Howe attends a press conference at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits that Emil Krafth's season is effectively over - hence his withdrawal from the Toon squad for Champions League games.
But Howe did have Joelinton back with his team-mates after three weeks out with a groin injury. However, Lewis Miley will still need more time to recover.
Howe, speaking from Baku, revealed Swedish international Krafth - who is out of contract in the summer - has gone under the knife. He has been replaced in the Champions League squad by John Ruddy.
Howe said: "Emil has had an operation on his knee so in all likelihood it looks like his season is over which is a blow for us. He first suffered the problem on international duty and we hoped he could come back and be OK.
"It was clear in training he wasn't going to get to the level needed and there needed to be a surgical intervention."
It leaves Newcastle short-handed defensively with Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar also out longer-term. Miley, who can play right-back, is also still injured.
Speaking on Miley, Howe told Chronicle Live: "He's doing all right. He's made good progress in the last few days. We're happy with his progress. He's had a number of scans, it came from a knock and it was a really bad dead leg which gave him some muscle disruption so as soon as that's healed, which we think it is now, we can push him on quite quickly."
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And providing an update on Joelinton, Howe said: "He's back in the squad which is a great boost for us. He's such an important player and a big presence in our squad. A real leader.
"He trained well yesterday and felt really good, so delighted with his return."
Howe can't wait for the clash in Baku and made it clear he will go as strong as he can. He said: "We will play our strongest team and we will try to win the game. There will be no thinking of the schedule ahead, this game in isolation is hugely important."
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