The midfield enforcer is back but where will Matthias Jaissle opt to use him if he starts against Aston Villa

Joelinton has played down concerns that he can't fit into Matthias Jaissle's formation - insisting he can do a job anywhere for the German head coach.

Jaissle had tried to make light on Joelinton's best role for the club last week when answering questions on his position by saying: "Any suggestions?"

The £40million star is edging back to full fitness and in contention for more minutes against Aston Villa after a half-hour cameo against Coventry City.

Jaissle must weigh up whether to play Joelinton as one of his two holding midfielders or tweak his engine room set-up.

Under Eddie Howe, Joelinton played as part of a midfield three but was used as a holding midfielder twice last season, while the Brazilian has also been effective as a left winger during his time on Tyneside.

Speaking about where he fits in during the new era, Joelinton told reporters: "No matter which position he puts me in, I try my best for the team, I try my best for the fans, like I always have done.

"I come in the midfield, and it's not different the way we play with Eddie Howe. I'm positive, and things are going to be better.

"It's good to be back with the team, good to be back with the boys, playing again after such a long time. Of course, it's not the result we want (at Coventry), it's not the comeback that I want, but yes, it's part of the game.

"Now it's time to keep working hard, to improve, myself improve, just come back and the team as well. So it's a lot of work in front of us."

Make sure you never miss the latest Newcastle United news and opinion by making Chronicle Live one of your Google preferred sources.

Joelinton missed the start of the season after picking up a muscle injury during the 3-1 loss to Everton at Murrayfield. Speaking on his fitness levels after two months out, he said: "I've worked a lot before coming back. Of course, with my game time, it's a different thing to train, but I'm feeling good. I hope to be 100% as quick as possible."

Newcastle will be looking to bounce back after the 4-1 defeat at Coventry on a night when the players faced a hot reception from some Toon fans unhappy with the lack of fight at the CBS Arena. Joelinton said: "Yes, it's not easy. The boys are frustrated.

"It's a difficult night for us, a difficult game. It's a heavy defeat, like you say, but now we have to move on. We have to look at what we can improve.

"Every player wants to be better in the next game, but there's no time to cry and to be down. It's just reflect on the game, see things that we have to improve, things that we have done good and just keep going."