Joelinton, Wilson, Willock: Newcastle United injury list and return dates ahead of Fulham FA Cup tie

It is transfer talk rather than any on-field action that is dominating the headlines at Newcastle United in recent days.

With the January transfer window now in its final week, German giants Bayern Munich are intensifying their attempts to lure Kieran Trippier to the Bundesliga and AC Milan and Atletico Madrid are believed to remain interested in securing a deal for Magpies striker Callum Wilson. The most likely departure from Newcastle, according to reports, is Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron, who has attracted strong interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.

For all of the talk of arrivals and departures, the Magpies will switch their focus towards Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Premier League rivals Fulham as Eddie Howe looks to keep alive his side's bid for major silverware this season. The Magpies manager is still wrestling with a lengthy injury list ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage and will hope for some welcome good news over the coming days and weeks as several key players prepare to return to action.

Ahead of Saturday's tie, we look at the latest updates on the injury situation at St James Park and assess when some of Howe's squad could return to contention.

Nick Pope

The England goalkeeper suffered a serious shoulder injury in December’s 1-0 home win against Manchester United and has undergone an operation to deal with the issue.  It is expected Pope will miss the vast majority, if not all, of the remainder of the season.

Matt Targett

Targett suffered what he described as a freak injury in the early stages of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win at Manchester United in November.  The former Aston Villa left-back is in the midst of his rehabilitation and is not expected to return until later in the season.

Tino Livramento

The England Under-21 full-back missed the 3-2 home defeat against Manchester City with an illness but is expected to return to contention for the trip to Craven Cottage.  He will hope to add to the 12 starts he has made during his first season on Tyneside.

Joelinton

Tuesday brought a major update on the thigh injury the Brazilian midfielder suffered in the FA Cup win at arch rivals Sunderland.  The Magpies have confirmed the £40m man has undergone surgery and revealed he is not expected to return to action until May, meaning he could miss the remainder of the season.

Joe Willock

The former Arsenal midfielder has been a major miss for the Magpies after a hamstring injury has limited him to just six appearances in all competitions so far this season.  A return to contention is edging closer but it now seems likely Willock will not return until next month’s home game against Bournemouth.

Elliot Anderson

The Magpies academy graduate has not featured since a 4-0 home win against Crystal Palace in October after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back.  Despite there being some initial hope the attacking midfielder could return before the end of January, it now seems likely Anderson will be back in contention in the middle of February.

Harvey Barnes

A foot injury has limited the summer signing to just seven appearances during a disjointed first season with the Magpies.  The former Leicester City winger has not appeared since the 8-0 demolition of Sheffield United in September but could make a comeback in next month’s visit to Nottingham Forest.

Jacob Murphy

Of all of United’s injured players, Murphy is believed to be the closest to a return and there is an outside chance he could be in contention for the trip to Craven Cottage.  Next week’s visit to Aston Villa is believed to be a more realistic target as he closes in on a return from the shoulder injury he suffered in the 1-0 home win against Arsenal in November.

Callum Wilson

There has been plenty of speculation over Wilson’s future on Tyneside in recent days after the England striker was linked with moves to Atletico Madrid and AC Milan.  That may well have put talk of his comeback from a calf injury on the back burner but Wilson is expected to return for next week’s game at Villa Park.