BREAKING NEWS: Eddie Howe claims the’massive’ 24-year-old talented star on injury will return to Newcastle very soon.
It has been a long time since we have seen Joe Willock play for Newcastle United.
The midfielder picked up a hamstring injury at the backend of last season. He missed the final two games of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, but it was hoped that he would return in time for pre-season.
That did not happen, with Willock not playing a single minute of football during the summer. He was with the group out in America, but did not feature at all.
Eddie Howe has previously stated that Willock would not be back before the first international break of the season. He has missed the games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, and looks set to be sidelined for Liverpool and Brighton.
However, Howe’s latest comments on the 24-year-old suggest that a return is no longer too far away.
Joe Willock is ‘making good progress’ as Newcastle return looms
Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Liverpool, Howe spoke to the media. He provided an update on Willock’s recovery from a hamstring injury that he suffered in May.
“He’s making good progress,” he said.
“This is probably the strongest he’s looked in terms of his hamstring. He had it re-scanned a couple of days ago and the report back was very good, no problems.
“I think he had a bit of fatigue in his hamstring but he’s done really well. He’ll be training with us around the international break and he’s a massive player.”
Willock return incoming
With Willock due to return to training in the next couple of weeks, it should not be too long before we see him in action again.
The international break begins after next weekend’s trip to Brighton. After that, the following game is September 17th at home to Brentford. Then the games come thick and fast with the Champions League kicking off.
That is why it is vital that we get Willock back. He was a key player last season, and will have an important role this time out as well. However, he will have to force his way back into the starting XI, as Sandro Tonali has now slotted in alongside Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.
But Willock’s return will give us even more depth in midfield, and he offers different qualities to the rest of Newcastle’s midfielders.
It sounds like he will be back on the grass with the rest of the lads very soon, and Howe is very upbeat about his comeback.
