Newcastle’s Eddie Howe May Drop Joelinton Over Drunk Driving Allegation

Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe is contemplating dropping the club’s star Joelinton who was accused of drunk driving this week.

Ahead of the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Fulham which is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 on Sunday, coach Eddie Howe said he is undecided about starting Joelinton in the league game because of the “shock” he felt when he learned of the footballer’s drunk driving accusation.

The coach said he would reach out to Joelinton before he would decide on his final squad for the game.

At 01:20 GMT on Thursday, a motorist was pulled over by police in Newcastle’s Ponteland Road neighborhood.

It was later confirmed that it was the 26-year-old Joelinton that the police pulled over. He will appear before magistrates on January 26 over the traffic offence.

“I’ll make a decision closer to the game in consultation with him [Joelinton], so I’m not 100% sure,” Howe said on Friday, ahead of the game which will take place at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

“It came very much as a shock. It’s a difficult situation.

“Joe is very remorseful; he was very upset [on Thursday]. I think he knows the seriousness of the situation.

“Obviously, I can’t go into too much detail out of respect for the case, but I think he understands his responsibilities.

“We’re now in a position where we’re supporting him, and we also understand as a football club the seriousness of the situation.”

Joelinton has appeared in 21 games for the Magpies this year, contributing three assists and three goals.

In Tuesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester City, the Brazilian scored the winner which is his second goal of the campaign.