Newcastle United receive boost in their fitness department as key player return to action ahead of Crystal Palace this Saturday at 3 pm.

Newcastle United may receive a boost in their fitness department as they prepare for their return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace this Saturday at 3 pm. The team’s head coach, Eddie Howe, is optimistic about the possible return of Joelinton to the squad. Joelinton, a Brazilian player, had missed the last two matches due to a hamstring problem. When asked about Joelinton’s involvement against Palace, Howe expressed his hope, saying, “I believe he’s in good shape. He’s put in a lot of effort during training, and I’m confident that he’ll return to the level of performance we know he’s capable of. He’s a key player for us, and while we still have a few injuries, things are looking somewhat better.”

There are doubts surrounding Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, who suffered injuries before the international break. Isak had to withdraw from the Sweden squad after sustaining an injury in Newcastle’s previous Premier League match against West Ham. Botman, on the other hand, has been sidelined since scoring his first goal for the club in an 8-0 victory against Sheffield United last month due to a knee injury. Howe was non-committal about their availability for Saturday, stating, “Alex hasn’t trained with us yet, so we’ll wait and see if he’s fit and ready. Sven is making progress; the two weeks have been beneficial for him.”

Newcastle’s midfield is also a concern due to an ongoing illegal betting investigation involving Sandro Tonali and the fact that Bruno Guimaraes is one booking away from suspension. Howe is eager to have Joe Willock back in action. Willock has been absent from Newcastle’s lineup since sustaining a hamstring injury against Brighton & Hove Albion in May, and he suffered an Achilles injury during his recovery process. However, he has returned to training and could potentially be in contention for a return next month. Howe expressed his desire to have Willock back, saying, “I want him back. He trained with the group for the first time this week, but it’s probably a bit early to include him in the matchday squad. However, he’s getting closer, and he’s a vital player for us.”