Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the team's fifth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on January 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.placeholder image
Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the team's fifth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on January 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. | Getty Images
Joelinton has returned to Newcastle United’s squad but must settle for a place on the bench against Qarabag.
Joelinton has returned to Newcastle United’s matchday squad ahead of the Champions League clash with Qarabag.
However, the Brazilian must settle for a place on the bench following a month-long lay-off with a groin injury. Eddie Howe told reporters yesterday that Joelinton made the trip to Azerbaijan.
"Joelinton's back in the squad, so that's a great boost for us," Howe said. "He's such an important player, such a big presence within our squad, such a real leader. He trained yesterday and trained well, and felt really good.
“No one else from the missing list, I think, has travelled from the last game so we're missing quite a few players, quite a few real quality players as well. They're big misses for us, but we come in here in good spirits from our last two games.”
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Those big omissions include Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa - who missed the win over Aston Villa and did not travel to Qarabag. Likewise, Lewis Miley stayed at home, although he is expected to return soon.
Howe promised to name a strong team as Newcastle aim to give themselves breathing space for next week’s home leg. He has done exactly that, with a back four of Lewis Hall, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw and Kieran Trippier.
Sandro Tonali is at the heart of midfield after his brace on Saturday, partnered by Joe Willock and Nick Woltemade in his new-found role. In attack, Anthony Gordon leads the charge, with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga on the flanks.
Newcastle United team to face Qarabag
Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Willock, Woltemade; Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
Subs: Ruddy, Ramsdale, Harris, Joelinton, Osula, J. Murphy, A. Murphy, Ramsey, Shahar, Neave
‘It means everything’ - Eddie Howe
Howe also vowed to put Newcastle’s name in the history book as they aim to reach the last 16 for the first time ever. He added: "It means everything to us. The opportunity for us to get to the last 16 of this competition would be an incredible achievement.
“We're trying to embrace it in that way and look at the excitement and the possibility rather than feel the burden of the pressure of the occasion. We want to turn these moments into history and into moments people talk about for a long time. There's a real excitement with this game."
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