Eddie Howe confirms 24-year-old player will definitely miss Newcastle’s next four games

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Newcastle United fans have barely seen Joe Willock this season, and it sounds like his absence is going to continue for at least a few more weeks.

Joe Willock began the campaign injured, but was able to return in October when the Magpies took on Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park in the Champions League.

The 24-year-old featured in six consecutive games for Newcastle, including a wonderous display in the Carabao Cup win over Manchester United. He scored a spectacular goal at Old Trafford, which looked like it would be the beginning of a rich vein of form.

However, Willock has picked up another injury and rejoined the Magpies’ list of absentees, missing our previous six games.

It is unclear when he is going to return, but Eddie Howe has provided an update which suggests that he is at least going to miss four more Toon matches.

Eddie Howe provides disappointing injury update on Joe Willock

Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Fulham on Saturday, Howe spoke to the media where he provided an injury update on some of his players, including Willock.

“Joe Willock is in a period where he has had a couple of injections, a difficult injury but he won’t be back this side of January,” he told the Chronicle.

Newcastle now without Joe Willock until 2024

With Howe stating that Willock will not return until 2024, that means that the midfielder is at least going to miss another four games. Before 2023 ends, Newcastle face Fulham, Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest.

Howe has seemingly ruled Willock out of those fixtures, while you have to imagine that the Liverpool game will fall into that category too. Newcastle head to Anfield on January 1st.

The Magpies have been without plenty of key players this season, but Willock’s absence has been one of the most disappointing.

He was exceptional last season, while there was delight among the players when he returned. Sean Longstaff waxed lyrical about the former Arsenal man, stating that no one in the Newcastle team can do what he does.

Sadly, we have not seen theory get put to the test enough this season, with Willock limited to just six appearances so far. And it looks like his next will not come until 2024.