When one door closes another one opens, and that could be the case at Newcastle United following Joe Willock’s latest injury.
It has been a disastrous season for the Newcastle United midfielder, and now it is over earlier than anticipated.
It was reported on Tuesday that Eddie Howe has decided that Joe Willock will not feature in any of the Magpies’ remaining six games, having suffered a reoccurrence of his Achilles injury.
The problem emerged during the win over Fulham, and resulted in the 24-year-old missing Saturday’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking before that game, Howe was unsure when Willock would be available again. But now it looks like he is out for the rest of the season, with the Newcastle manager eager for Willock to rest and fully recover in time for the 2024/25 campaign.
Newcastle United midfield suddenly picks itself
That means Newcastle United’s midfield will have a very familiar look for the rest of the season.
It pretty much picks itself, which has been the case for the majority of the campaign given the Magpies’ injury problems.
Bruno Guimaraes will continue to operate as the ‘six’, and he will be joined by Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson.
Willock’s injury is a great opportunity for Anderson to enjoy a run in the side, and a lot of fans are excited to see what he can do. The 21-year-old has played well since returning from a back injury, and deserves this chance.
But Anderson is not the only Newcastle United academy graduate who could benefit from Willock’s absence.
Joe White could now play more for Newcastle United
With Howe’s midfield options so limited right now, Joe White will be licking his lips.
The 21-year-old returned to St James’ Park in January, having enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Crewe Alexandra. He looked set to return, only for Howe to decide to keep White on Tyneside given the club’s injury woes.
That has resulted in White making three substitute appearances in the Premier League, and he should certainly add to that tally in the Magpies’ remaining six games.
Anderson has only just recovered from injury, while Longstaff has been carrying a problem of his own. It is a big ask for them to play every minute, so Howe is going to have to turn to White in the coming weeks.
It should prove to be a great opportunity for the youngster, who is fighting for his Newcastle United future. He has done well in his cameos so far, but is yet to prove he can be part of this Toon squad long-term.
He has impressed Howe when he has featured, with the Newcastle manager pleased to see how much he has improved. Howe has praised White for his ‘creative‘ qualities, and hopefully he gets the chance to express himself in black and white before the 2023/24 season draws to a close.
The Newcastle squad is limping over the line amid its injury woes, but it may now result in a career-defining few weeks for Joe White.
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