Joelinton returns this weekend and Eddie Howe has spoken of his importance

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Joelinton returns to contention for a Newcastle United starting place after serving his two-game ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards. Now Eddie Howe has spoken of his importance to the team.

A far cry from the days when Geordie eyes would roll seeing Joelinton's name on the team sheet, it's now the opposite. A twinge of disappointment radiates up our bodies when we see he's missing from our team, such has been his transformation under Eddie Howe.

Now Howe has spoken of the Brazilian's importance to the team while speaking to the media this morning in his pre-match presser: "Joe is a huge presence, not just physically but I think the other lads know how good a player he is so to have him back amongst the squad is a boost for us. The other players, in his absence, have performed very well so it's great to have competition."

Howe knows just how important Joelinton is to Newcastle these days

Eddie Howe on Joelinton:
"Joe is a huge presence, not just physically but I think the other lads know how good a player he is so to have him back amongst the squad is a boost for us. The other players, in his absence, have performed very well so it's great to have competition." pic.twitter.com/FFhcwQA3Mm
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 31, 2023

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It's almost as if Howe is saying that the other players feel better knowing big Joe is in the side.

There's no doubting his importance to Newcastle since he transformed from ineffective striker to midfield enforcer. Taking the burden of goal scoring out of his game has unlocked the £40million man's real potential. In 22 Premier League appearances this season he's notched two goals and two assists but more notably, acquired 10 yellow cards. He could actually break a Premier League record this season if he continues to attract the ire of match officials.

Joelinton has upped his game again since Bruno Guimaraes arrived

Linking up with his fellow countryman Bruno Guimaraes has taken his game up another level too. The duo are often seen together on the training pitch grinning like cheshire cats, both just seem so happy to be doing what they love.

Joelinton's return to the starting lineup is almost inevitable this weekend and it seems like Eddie Howe has strongly hinted that he'll be starting too without actually saying as much.

The 26-year-old's versatility means it can be hard to predict where he'll be deployed against Manchester United, whether he returns to the centre of the midfield or out on the left flank, but I'd be amazed if he's not on that pitch at kick-off time.