Brutal injury update from Eddie Howe on Joelinton, Willock, Anderson, Barnes & Wilson

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning, issuing an update on the injury front ahead of tomorrow's clash with Manchester City.

Sadly, it's bad news on Joelinton and a pretty bleak update all round. The Brazilian faces SIX WEEKS out with thigh injury, which was suffered in last weekend's 3-0 win over Sunderland.

Elliot Anderson (back) and Joe Willock (Achilles) won’t be back "anytime soon", as the former needs another scan and the latter is "still not right." Harvey Barnes is “getting closer” after several months on the sidelines with a foot problem picked up in our 8-0 win at Sheffield United, but Howe warns he still has a “long way to go", as he's yet to resume training.

The boss is “hopeful” Callum Wilson (calf) will be back at the end of month, although he'll miss tomorrow's game and it remains to be seen if he'll be OK for Fulham (27th) and Aston Villa (30th).

Here's what Howe's had to say, starting with the "big blow" for Joelinton: 

https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1745758990234001591

"The prospects over the next couple of weeks aren't good. It's an injury that will see him (Joelinton) miss a minimum of six weeks. It's a real blow for us as he's a key player. He's had a stop-start season unfortunately. He was so consistent last year but he's had a few different problems [this year].

"This is a big blow. We have nobody immediately coming back but there is nobody like Joelinton. So this is a big one.

"Joey has got a problem with his tendon in his quad. It’s a difficult place to get an injury hence the reason why he’s out. He’s very disappointed and we’ve been trying to pick him up. Joey’s injury is a freak one where he’s standing up and been caught off balance."

Howe on Barnes, Anderson, Willock and Wilson:

“Harvey is getting closer. He hasn’t been training with the group, but he’s been running on the grass with his boots back on and he’s been kicking balls around. We’re pleased with his progress currently, but he still has a long way to go.

"Elliot [Anderson] is continuing his rehab from a stress fracture in his back. It's a difficult injury to manage. He's not been very active. He'll have another scan next week. [Joe] Willock is improving. He's building up his strength in his Achilles and looking better but he's still not right. They won't be back anytime soon.

“We’re well aware of what Callum’s problem is and the timescale on it. We’re hoping that he can be back in and around for the Aston Villa game, that’s what we’re looking at. Obviously, if it takes a bit longer, we’ll take that time, but we don’t see it being a long-term issue.”