Eddie Howe confirms £25m Newcastle player is ‘very close’ to returning from injury

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Newcastle United are ‘very close’ to welcoming one of their injured players back to full fitness.

The Magpies have received the crushing news that Callum Wilson’s season could be over, but his latest injury blow could coincide with another Toon player making his comeback.

We have barely seen Joe Willock this season, with the 24-year-old limited to just six appearances in all competitions.

It has been a massively frustrating campaign for the former Arsenal midfielder, who suffered an Achilles injury as he was closing in on a return from a hamstring problem. After getting back to fitness, he then suffered a reoccurrence of that Achilles injury.

The £25million man has missed 29 games in total this season, but the latest comments from Eddie Howe suggest that he is finally nearing a comeback.

Eddie Howe share encouraging Joe Willock injury update

Ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth, Howe spoke to the media. He provided an encouraging injury update on Joe Willock, as he closes in on a return.

Howe said: “Joe [Willock] is very close too, he is knocking on the door – looking good, feeling much better. He is another huge player for us that we are desperate to get back.”

Before Howe spoke to the press, there was also an update on Willock’s fitness from journalist Chris Waugh on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne.

“Joe Willock is getting closer but I still think this weekend, certainly to start, he may be in and around the squad but might be just a little too soon,” he said.

Newcastle will be delighted to get Joe Willock back

It would be amazing if we could see Willock at least on the bench against Bournemouth. That would be a real boost ahead of what is another must-win game.

While this fixture may come too soon for him, a comeback now appears to be closer than ever. Hopefully he can be back for good and avoid any other setbacks, as this has been a massively excruciating season for a man who is so important to Newcastle United.

We have endured a lot of midfield issues this season, and that has largely been because of Willock’s absence.

There was delight when he first returned in October, and there will be even more joy when he completes this comeback. Hopefully it is as soon as this weekend, but that remains to be seen.