After a five-month absence, Joe Willock is finally available for selection by Newcastle United in a Premier League match. The 24-year-old recently returned from a lengthy injury spell, making his comeback during Wednesday’s Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute. This marks his first appearance since May when he suffered a hamstring injury against Brighton, followed by a subsequent Achilles injury setback. Willock is expected to be included on the bench for Saturday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle, expressed the significance of Willock’s return, stating, “It’s a significant moment for us. We’ve missed him greatly during his absence. Joe is not only a talented footballer but also a highly regarded and popular figure in the dressing room, thanks to his infectious character. His technical skills, goal-scoring abilities, and strong running capabilities are well-suited to our midfield’s needs, particularly in light of our playing style. Although it’s still early days in his return, we hope he can maintain his fitness, continue to progress, and regain his match fitness.”
The United manager will resist the temptation to start Willock against Molineux, but the midfielder might be used in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third round match at Manchester United.
Howe is keen on carefully timing the return of the former Arsenal midfielder to the starting lineup. However, circumstances may force this decision earlier than planned. This is due to the absence of Elliot Anderson for eight weeks, Sandro Tonali facing a 10-month football ban, and Bruno Guimaraes being one yellow card away from suspension. Newcastle is currently lacking attacking options as Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, and Harvey Barnes are also unavailable.
Howe emphasized that the midfielder hasn’t had an extensive training period. He has undergone a structured training regime and received extensive support from the sports science team and physiotherapists. The team has been cautious and patient in his recovery process. Although the player is naturally fit and eager to get back on the field, Howe is focused on selecting the right moment for his reintroduction to the team.
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