Newcastle United now look set to receive an injury boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Magpies travel to Molineux this weekend, and it had looked like Joe Willock would be unavailable due to injury. He suffered a thigh problem in Newcastle United‘s Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest, and missed the subsequent victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
It was initially reported that Willock would be out for weeks rather than months, which was a huge boost after the concerned look on the 25-year-old’s face when he was forced off at the City Ground. Despite this good news, it was also stated that Willock was a doubt for the Wolves game.
However, it now looks like he could be available after all.
Positive injury update regarding Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock
That is according to the Telegraph, who report that Willock is set to return from injury for Newcastle United’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
That will delight Eddie Howe, who suddenly has a wealth of options in the middle of the park.
Sandro Tonali will also be available for Sunday’s game, with his 10-month suspension now over. And the 24-year-old has already proven his fitness, with Tonali playing two full 90 minutes for Italy in the space of a few days.
Tonali and Willock join Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff as Eddie Howe’s midfield options, which means that Newcastle will at least have a couple of game-changers on the bench.
It also means that Newcastle are one step closer to having a fully fit midfield, with Lewis Miley the only other central player who is unavailable. He is out of action with a foot injury, with Miley expected to return for Newcastle in October.
No chance that Willock starts for Newcastle against Wolves
Even if Willock does return against Wolves, there is no chance that he will start.
Howe will want to be careful with the midfielder, given his recent fitness issues. On top of that, it feels likely that he will stick with the midfield trio that has started all three of Newcastle’s Premier League games so far.
That would mean Joelinton starting on the left of the midfield three, which is where Willock would want to start.
In truth, the more likely midfield chance would be Tonali, as he is very clearly match fit after his exploits with Italy.
Regardless, the probable outcome is that Tonali and Willock are on the bench. That is a boost to Howe, as he is finally able to change the game using his substitutes – a luxury that he was rarely afforded last season.
Elsewhere, Lloyd Kelly could start at left-back ahead of Lewis Hall, despite the latter performing so well for England Under-21s on Monday night.
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