Newcastle United’s Joe Willock is close to returning from a long-term injury hiatus.
The 24-year-old midfielder hasn’t played for Newcastle since May, when he suffered a hamstring injury against Brighton & Hove Albion. Willock’s recovery to the first team has been hampered by setbacks and a more recent Achilles ailment.
Despite returning to full training last week, Willock missed Saturday’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace as he works on his fitness. Willock’s comeback isn’t expected to be too far away, with The Magpies facing a hectic run of fixtures in the Champions League, Premier League, and Carabao Cup over the next several weeks.
The footballer took to Instagram after training to upload a photo of his boots with the message, “Nearly there.”
And Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is eager to see the midfielder, who played 43 games in all competitions for the Magpies last season, return to action.
“I want him back,” Howe said at his pre-game press conference. “He’s trained this week for the first time with the group but it’s probably a bit early to have him involved in the matchday squad but he’s getting closer and he’s a huge player for us.”
Newcastle’s next Champions League match is at home against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night (8 p.m. kickoff). On Saturday (5:30 p.m. kick-off), United will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Magpies play Manchester United in the Carabao Cup fourth round next week at Old Trafford (8:15pm kick-off), before facing Arsenal at St James’ Park in the Premier League the following Saturday (5:30pm kick-off).
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