Newcastle blow as club fear star midfielder Joelinton will be ruled out for rest of the season
Newcastle have reportedly been hit with a major blow as fear grows that Joelinton could miss the rest of the season through injury.
The 27-year-old suffered a groin problem during the FA Cup third round victory away at rivals Sunderland earlier this month.
Boss Eddie Howe subsequently stated that the Brazilian midfielder would miss at least six weeks of action.
But according to The Athletic, he may now not play until next campaign with the five-cap international likely to require surgery on a tendon.
Further assessment of his injury will be carried out by Newcastle doctors, however it is believed the player is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Joelinton has been a key player under Howe's tutelage, having converted him from an underpeforming striker to a powerful box-to-box midfielder.
His upturn in form saw him make his Selecao debut last year, and he has impressed this season — chipping in with three goals and four assists in 23 games in all competitions.
Newcastle are currently in the midst of an injury crisis, with Nick Pope, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Callum Wilson, Elliot Anderson and Matt Targett all out.
That is in addition to last summer's marquee signing Sandro Tonali banned for the remainder of the campaign due to his involvement in illegal betting.
With Newcastle languishing in tenth spot following their dramatic 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, the club could now be forced into strengthening their squad in January.
City's Kalvin Phillips is known to be on Howe's radar, but a deal appears unlikely due to their whopping loan demands.
talkSPORT understands that Newcastle are the ex-Leeds star's keenest suitors.
However they are so far unwilling to match the Citizens' £7million loan fee request, along
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