Joelinton could miss rest of the season, says Howe ahead of Brighton trip | OneFootball

The Magpies make the long journey to the South coast targeting a first ever Premier League away win against the Seagulls, with their last victory at the Amex Stadium recorded in February 2017 as a Championship outfit.

Howe, who received a nomination for the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award for April, revealed Joelinton could be sidelined for the remaining four fixtures of the season but will be hopeful the likes of Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes can continue their impressive form of late in their bid for Champions League qualification for a second time in their last three seasons.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Friday's pre-match media briefing at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On Joelinton, who missed last weekend's 3-0 win against Ipswich Town with a knee injury:

"The likelihood is that it will be difficult [if he will play again this season]. But with Joe you never rule him out. He's so motivated to try and come back.

"He had a bit of discomfort in his knee last week before the game so we sought specialist opinion and the opinion was it was nothing serious but he needed a period of rest so he's now in Brazil.

"We'll wait and see if we can get him back before the end of the season but the likelihood is probably not."

On Joe Willock, who gained his first Premier League start since February during last weekend's victory against Ipswich:

"We still have a lot of faith in Joe and he's a like for like replacement [for Joelinton], with a lot of his best work on the left-hand side of the pitch as Joelinton does. He's got goalscoring instincts, is a very attack minded player, very quick and athletic and a good ball carrier. "Joe has had some important contributions this season, most notably in the Carabao Cup where he's scored some big goals for us. No doubting his quality but he probably needs that run of games to be at his very best so hopefully he can show that."

On Brighton, who have beaten the Magpies twice so far this season, both recorded at St. James' Park:

"I think we always have a tough game against Brighton. We've had some good results at St. James' Park, historically, but not so much this season with the two games we lost. I thought they were really tight and could have gone either way.

"They're a very good team, it's a good atmosphere and it's good for the away team as it's a lovely pitch. We would back ourselves against anybody but certainly know we're going to have to play at our very best because it's never an easy game there."

On the club's final four Premier League fixtures, with United remaining in third place of the English top-flight following Nottingham Forest's 2-0 home defeat against Brentford on Thursday night:

"I think that's absolutely where you want to be, in clear control of your destiny with four games to go. We're very aware that it can change in one round of games so there's no let up for us.

"Keeping absolute focus and being really consistent with our training has happened for a long period of time and our run of results has been very impressive but what we don't want to do is for it to tail right at the end. We believe in the team."

On William Osula, who scored his first Premier League goal in last week's win against Ipswich:

"You can see this week, with the goal, it has given him a big lift and confidence boost. I think he's trained consistently all season and he's very enthusiastic and driven. There's still work to do on his game, as there is with every player, but he's going in the right direction.

"I always encourage the players to be themselves and Will is very much himself. I think the supporters have taken to his personality and it's great to see. The love and affection between players and supporters is so important and he will feel that, which will help his game."

On Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes, who were both nominated for the EA Sports Premier League Player of the Month award for April:

"Jacob's really grown into his position and developed real strengths and those that the team's needed. His crossing ability, first and foremost, has been a massive strength for us. Playing a right-footed player on the right-hand side brings real characteristics that I think we needed in the ability to cross early behind the team's backline.

"He's built a great relationship with Alex [Isak] and contributed a number of assists for him which is great to see and his confidence levels have grown from what he's delivered.

"I'm really pleased Harvey has had the opportunity to showcase his skills. He's a brilliant finisher and goalscorer. Every team needs those players on the pitch so delighted with their progress and they're going to be important in these last four games."