Newcastle United travel to Everton in a crucial clash in the bottom half of the Premier League knowing that a win would lift them 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
Following an impressive nine game unbeaten run before Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, Eddie Howe's men now have top-flight safety within their grasp. But the Newcastle manager has two of his usual midfield trio struggling for fitness in time to feature at Goodison Park on Thursday night.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Howe said: "Willock, yes he should be OK, he had an illness but returned to training yesterday. Jonjo Shelvey we are waiting to see, he hasn't trained yet he's a slightly bigger concern. Joelinton is going to be touch and go. We have a decision to make on whether we look after him with the break we have afterwards or whether we push him back out there. We will have to make our mind up.
