Eddie Howe has just dropped major hint that £25m player will not start for Newcastle against Southampton

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Newcastle United are largely over their injury crisis from last season, but there are still some lingering issues.

Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are both out of action, having suffered ACL injuries earlier this year. Eddie Howe has confirmed that Botman and Lascelles could be out for the rest of 2024.

Elsewhere, Matt Targett has only just returned to training. He has not actually played for Newcastle United since November 2023, having underwent hamstring surgery and then suffered an Achilles injury.

Then you have got Joe Willock, who was only fit enough to make 14 appearances during the 2023/24 season.

But he is back now, with Willock admitting that he is fully fit. He made two appearances during pre-season, and will hope to make up for lost time in a black and white shirt.

Eddie Howe’s makes admission about Joe Willock’s fitness

However, while he is back to full fitness, he is not match fit.

That is the view of Eddie Howe, who has spoke to the media ahead of Newcastle’s opening Premier League game against Southampton.

“Joe Willock is in a lot better place,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say he’s 100% match fit. He’s had two games and trained well. But he’s certainly on the road to being the Joe Willock that we all know and love.”

Howe’s comments suggest Willock will not start for Newcastle against Southampton

While Howe is excited to see Willock get back to his best, it might not happen immediately. He still needs to build up his sharpness, having missed so much football last season through injury.

After playing just twice in pre-season, and given what Howe has said, it seems incredibly unlikely that Willock will start the Magpies’ Premier League opener. They face Southampton at St James’ Park, with Paul Merson predicting Newcastle to win.

Willock is available, and will certainly be in the squad that takes on the Saints. However, it would be a major surprise to see him named in the starting XI.

Instead, the more probable midfield three is Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff. They are all fully fit, while the latter pair have played plenty of minutes in pre-season.

Howe will be desperate to start the season with a win, which will mean he is not going to take any risks with his team. If he does not think Willock is match fit then he will not put him in a position where he could end up playing 90 minutes.

But the £25million man will be available off the bench, and could be well placed to have an important role in the second half. Willock is seen as somewhat like a new signing this season, but – as is often the case with new signings – may have to settle for cameos to kick off the new campaign.