NEWCASTLE have been dealt another blow ahead of next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, with star midfielder Joelinton going off injured in the Premier League clash with Liverpool.
The Toon found themselves 2-0 down to the Reds and a man light at half-time after goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off.
Pope handled the ball outside the penalty area, leaving the referee little choice but to brandish a red card.
The keeper will miss next Sunday’s Cup final with Man Utd as a result of the automatic one-game suspension.
And with backup goalkeeper Martin Dubravka cup tied having played for final opponents Man Utd in the competition while on loan at Old Trafford earlier this season, Loris Karius looks to be the man who will hope to shut the Red Devils out.
But Saturday’s clash with Liverpool went from bad to worse in the second half.
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Star midfielder Joelinton was taken off injured in another blow ahead of the Wembley dust-up.
The striker-turned-midfielder wanted to carry on but the decision to take him off was made and he was replaced by Matt Ritchie.
Joelinton could still make the final should the injury turn out to not be too bad.
The player was also one booking from a suspension, and should he have carried on against the Reds and picked up a yellow, he too would have missed the final like Pope.
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In a boost to Eddie Howe, he will have Bruno Guimaraes back.
The Brazil ace, 25, has now served his three-game suspension after being sent off in the League Cup semi-final second leg against Southampton.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
