Eddie Howe has now made a decision that means his Newcastle United midfield options are severely limited for the rest of the season.
It has been a problem position all year for Newcastle United, with Eddie Howe not once having a full ensemble of centre-midfielders.
Sandro Tonali has been absent since the end of October, with the 23-year-old suspended for betting after being investigated by the Italian Football Federation. He has also been investigated by the FA, but is not expected to receive any further punishment.
Joelinton has also been missing as of late, with the Brazil international undergoing thigh surgery after picking up an injury during the Tyne Wear derby win over Sunderland. He has endured a stop-start campaign with regards to his fitness, but is hoping to feature again before the 2023/24 season draws to a close.
Elsewhere, Joe Willock has missed most of the season with a hamstring problem that led to an Achilles issue, while Elliot Anderson was out for months with a back injury.
Now Lewis Miley is out too, while it recently came out that Sean Longstaff has been playing through injury since the backend of last season.
Newcastle midfielder to miss the rest of the season
While it is hoped that Joelinton will feature again, it is the opposite for his Toon teammate.
Joe Willock limped out of the win over Fulham earlier this month after a reoccurrence of his Achilles issue, and that led to him missing Saturday’s victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
Eddie Howe was unsure when the 24-year-old would be available again, but now a decision has been made.
According to the Daily Mail, Joe Willock will not play for Newcastle United again this season.
Why Joe Willock’s season is officially over
Interestingly, the report from the Daily Mail states that Willock actually could play again for Newcastle this season if that is what the club wanted.
They state that a specialist indicated that Willock could carry on playing, but a decision has been made to call time on his campaign to ensure he is fully fit for pre-season.
The Daily Mail add that Willock will now undergo rest and strength work, with the view towards the Achilles being completely healed this summer. Howe wants the problem gone for good, and that is why he will not pick Willock in any of Newcastle’s remaining six games.
The £25million man’s season started with injury, and that is how it will end. He has already missed 31 games this season, and that will become 37 with Willock not set to play between now and the end of the campaign.
It is a blow for Willock, but it should prove to be the right decision in the long run. The club are correct to write his season off now, as it should mean he is better equipped to make a major impression in 2024/25.
In Willock’s absence, Elliot Anderson will receive an extended run in the starting XI. He has looked excellent since recovering from his own injury, and this is a great opportunity for the local lad.
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