Newcastle United rounded off a productive week with a tight win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Eddie Howe saw his side make it two wins from three and move a point behind West Ham in seventh while also boasting a game in hand in the race for the Europa League.
It was hardly a vintage Newcastle performance and Howe even admitted to holding harsh words with his players following a dreadful start at Craven Cottage.
However, Bruno Guimaraes once again proved the difference-maker and scored the winner in west London after a notable second-half improvement from Howe’s side, something club legend Alan Shearer picked up on too.
While three points and a rare clean sheet offer reasons to be positive, the nature of Newcastle’s season means that it cannot be fully enjoyed without a fresh injury problem emerging.
Already without a pretty much first-choice eleven due to various ailments, Howe was dealt yet more bad luck on that front.
Eddie Howe offers update on Joe Willock after fresh Newcastle injury
Speaking to reporters after the game, Howe said of Joe Willock (via The Athletic): “Joe is still feeling his Achilles. He’s been feeling this problem for a long time. We hoped that he would steadily improve.
“Today was a down day for him, he didn’t look right and he wasn’t able to continue. I don’t think he was in huge pain but it was enough for him to not be at his very best. So we made the change.”
The £25m midfielder has struggled with injury all season and was forced off in the first-half, being replaced by Elliot Anderson.
Joe Willock’s injury offers Elliot Anderson the chance to shine
With numbers already light in central midfield, losing Willock for any length of time would be a huge blow.
The door, however, could be opening for Anderson.
He’s struggled with injuries this season too but Howe has been impressed with what he’s seen from the youngster in training.
There has been a lot of hype about Anderson and it would be fantastic to see him start to deliver on it during the final stages of this injury-hit campaign for Newcastle.
The post 'Didn't look right': Eddie Howe admits £25m Newcastle star had a 'down day' against Fulham appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.