Joe Willock has joined the list of Newcastle United players who are out for the rest of the season.
It has been a disastrous campaign for the 24-year-old, with Joe Willock already missing 31 games in a Newcastle United shirt.
That tally will hit 37 by the end of the season, with the midfielder not set to feature in the Magpies’ remaining six games.
The club have decided that Willock will not play any more minutes, as he continues to suffer from an Achilles injury that has plagued him for pretty much the entire campaign.
Joe Willock has endured an injury ridden season with Newcastle United
He returned from it in October and was able to make four appearances, only to suffer to a reoccurrence of the injury that ruled him out for another three months.
When Willock returned, he was able to put a stronger run of games together. He had an immediate impact, and his first Premier League start back against Wolves at home was massively impressive. The Toon players were delighted to have Willock back, but now he has gone again.
He was forced off against Fulham, and subsequently did not feature in the 4-0 win over Tottenham. Before that game, Howe was unsure when he would return, but now it has been decided that Willock will sit out the rest of the season.
What Keith Downie noticed about Joe Willock last week
It feels like a sensible decision, and now Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has given his thoughts on the situation regarding Willock’s fitness.
Downie has been speaking on his YouTube channel, and shared what he noticed about Willock when he met him at the club’s training ground last week. The journalist explained that Newcastle’s number 28 was visibly frustrated.
“I was actually at an event with him here in this hall last week,” he said.
“You could tell with his body language that he’s frustrated at the recovery, frustrated at the length of time it has taken, and he probably knows himself that he is not 100% right now and is not as good as he was last season or the season before.
“He wants to be back there, and the decision has been taken between Eddie Howe and his staff at the club, alongside a specialist – he saw a specialist at the end of last week. The decision has been made that the best thing in Joe Willock’s interest will be that he rests between now and the end of the season and hopefully he’s back fighting fit at the start of pre-season.”
Willock will have a point to prove next season
It is a shame to be without Willock for the rest of the season, but he needs this injury to go away. That is also what Howe needs, as he wants to be able to rely on players.
He has not been able to rely on Willock this season, despite it initially looking like a special campaign for the former Arsenal man. That was the expectation after last season, and now he must use 2024/25 to make up for lost time.
Willock missed pre-season last year, but now his aim is to be fit for when it all begins again. He will start on an even keel with the rest of his teammates, and it will be up to him to prove that he can still be a difference maker in midfield and that his injury woes are behind him.
In his absence right now, Elliot Anderson should receive an extended run in the starting XI, while there also could be more opportunities for Joe White.
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