After a drink-drive charge, Joelinton could be dismissed by Newcastle

After his arrest for drink driving, Eddie Howe may drop Joelinton from Newcastle’s Premier League match against Fulham.

Police stopped the 26-year old, who had become a key player in Howe’s inform side, in the early hours Thursday morning. He was later charged with driving above the legal alcohol limit.

He will be appearing before the city’s magistrates later in the month. However, he is available for Sunday’s match.

When asked by Howe at Friday’s pre-match press conference if Joelinton would face Fulham, he replied that he was going to need to think about it and make a decision with him closer to the match.

Joe and I are very close. I have met with him before and will continue to do so. While I must pick the winning team, that is my job. However, I also need to consider the circumstances surrounding that.

Joelinton signed as a forward for a then club-record £40 million ($49 million) from German club Hoffenheim in 2019 but struggled to score goals.

The South American player, however, scored the second goal for his team in Tuesday’s 2-0 League Cup quarterfinal win over Leicester. He has been a regular under Howe this season, whose team is third in the Premier League.

Howe said that Joelinton was desperate to play and that it came as a shock. It’s a very difficult situation. Joe is extremely sorry, he was very upset yesterday. He seems to be aware of the severity of the situation.

“Of course, I cannot go into too many details out of respect for this case, but he seems to understand his responsibilities.

“We are in a position now where we can support him, and we also understand the seriousness as a club football team.”

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