![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2261648609.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Magpies will be without Emil Krafth for the rest of the season while patience is needed for Lewis Miley<\/p>\n
Eddie Howe attends a press conference at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium <\/p>\n
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits that Emil Krafth’s season is effectively over – hence his withdrawal from the Toon squad for Champions League games.<\/p>\n
But Howe did have Joelinton back with his team-mates after three weeks out with a groin injury. However, Lewis Miley will still need more time to recover.<\/p>\n
Howe, speaking from Baku, revealed Swedish international Krafth – who is out of contract in the summer – has gone under the knife. He has been replaced in the Champions League squad by John Ruddy.<\/p>\n
Howe said: “Emil has had an operation on his knee so in all likelihood it looks like his season is over which is a blow for us. He first suffered the problem on international duty and we hoped he could come back and be OK.<\/p>\n
“It was clear in training he wasn’t going to get to the level needed and there needed to be a surgical intervention.”<\/p>\n
It leaves Newcastle short-handed defensively with Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar also out longer-term. Miley, who can play right-back, is also still injured.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Miley, Howe told Chronicle Live: “He’s doing all right. He’s made good progress in the last few days. We’re happy with his progress. He’s had a number of scans, it came from a knock and it was a really bad dead leg which gave him some muscle disruption so as soon as that’s healed, which we think it is now, we can push him on quite quickly.”<\/p>\n
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And providing an update on Joelinton, Howe said: “He’s back in the squad which is a great boost for us. He’s such an important player and a big presence in our squad. A real leader.<\/p>\n
“He trained well yesterday and felt really good, so delighted with his return.”<\/p>\n
Howe can’t wait for the clash in Baku and made it clear he will go as strong as he can. He said: “We will play our strongest team and we will try to win the game. There will be no thinking of the schedule ahead, this game in isolation is hugely important.”<\/p>\n
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