Newcastle United have finally received some good news on the injury front, with Joelinton and Nico Gonzalez both back in full first-team training ahead of Monday night's trip to Coventry City.
The double boost comes at a crucial time for Matthias Jaissle, whose injury-hit squad trained with just six senior players during the extended international break. The Magpies visit the Coventry Building Society Arena on Monday, October 12, for what will be their first Premier League trip to the ground following the Sky Blues' return to the top flight after 25 years away.
Joelinton and Gonzalez back on the grass
The sight of Joelinton and Gonzalez training together will have raised a smile on Tyneside. According to reports, the Brazilian midfielder has recovered from the thigh problem that has kept him out for the entire season so far, with Read Newcastle reporting his involvement on Tuesday as fresh encouragement towards his stated target of returning straight after the international break.
Nico Gonzalez, the summer signing, is working his way back from the concussion he suffered in the 4-1 defeat at Leeds United, which ruled him out of the 2-1 victory over Hull City. With Newcastle set to follow the Premier League's concussion protocols, his return to the training pitch puts him firmly in contention for Monday night.
A partnership Newcastle fans have never seen
Intriguingly, the duo are yet to play together in a Newcastle shirt. Joelinton's season-long absence from the start of the campaign has denied Jaissle the chance to pair his vice-captain with the new recruit, but Coventry could be the stage for their first competitive minutes as a midfield unit.
That would be a welcome sight given how Newcastle's midfield was exposed in their last away outing, when Leeds ran riot at Elland Road. With the pair available, Jaissle would suddenly have considerably more options and physicality in the middle of the pitch.
Fresh setbacks for Miley and Jaouen
It has not been all good news for the Magpies, though. Newcastle have been dealt two fresh concerns after Lewis Miley and Ewen Jaouen both withdrew from their respective England and France Under-21 squads.
Miley left the Young Lions' camp after picking up a training injury and has returned to Tyneside for further assessment, although the initial expectation is that his complaint is not believed to be serious enough to rule him out for a prolonged spell.
Jaouen's situation is more worrying. The 20-year-old goalkeeper, a £25 million summer signing, injured his hamstring during training with France Under-21s and has undergone an MRI scan, per The Mag. It is the latest cruel blow for the youngster, who had only just returned from an ankle problem that kept him out of three matches.
Coventry also hit by absences
Coventry have injury problems of their own. Frank Lampard's men will be without several players, with Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Josh Eccles, Luke Woolfenden and Milan van Ewijk all racing to be fit for Monday night.
Most significantly, the Sky Blues will be without striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who serves a three-match suspension following his red card against Brighton. His absence is a huge blow for the Premier League newcomers on a historic night at their home ground.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are still sweating on several absentees. Anthony Elanga, William Osula, Jacob Ramsey and Tino Livramento could all miss the trip, although captain Dan Burn is understood to be the closest to a return and could make his first competitive appearance under Jaissle.
What it means for Monday night
Newcastle sit ninth in the table with two wins, two draws and one defeat from their opening five matches under Jaissle, and the international break appears to have arrived at exactly the right time. With a week remaining before the Coventry trip, the German head coach has valuable time to assess his squad and potentially welcome several more players back into contention.
The high-intensity, aggressive pressing game Jaissle wants to establish demands depth and physicality, and the return of Joelinton and Gonzalez could be the spark that ignites it. After weeks of makeshift lineups and youthful benches, this is starting to look like a real Newcastle squad again.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Newcastle's injury crisis is finally easing, but Matthias Jaissle still has selection puzzles to solve before Monday's historic trip to Coventry. Will Joelinton and Gonzalez be thrown straight in, or eased back gently?
Who would you start in midfield for the Magpies on Monday night? Let us know in the comments.
