Kieran Trippier responds to confirmed Newcastle injury news after ‘big fear’
Eddie Howe has dropped a brand-new update on Joe Willock’s off-pitch recovery after the Newcastle United star picked up another injury.
The 25-year-old is an extremely talented player; there is no doubt about that. However, his time at St James’ Park has been stricken by injuries, having made just 16 league starts over the last two seasons.
Supporters are becoming more frustrated by the former Arsenal gem’s setbacks on the pitch, but with the Magpies potentially losing Alexander Isak this summer, they need more attacking reinforcements.
Football Insider understands that Newcastle are partly blaming Howe for the failed transfer window so far, but positive news about one of their current players will be music to the manager’s ears.
Joe Willock update drops at Newcastle United
Taking to Instagram (2 August), the official club account wrote: “The boss with positive news on Joe Willock’s injury. Speedy recovery, Joe,” with a praying emoji.
In a press conference, Howe said, “It’s good news on Joe. We initially feared he had injured his achilles, but that isn’t the case. It isn’t as serious as first feared.
“It will keep him out for a number of weeks, but the early diagnosis is around four to six weeks. So, it is positive news for Joe,” and Kieran Tripper was the first of his teammates to like the post.
Eddie Howe under pressure at St James’ Park
Football Insider verdict
While the Magpies are currently away on a pre-season tour, the pressure that is following Howe has not disappeared. It has actually increased since the bombshell news surrounding star striker Isak.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle are likely to miss out on Jorgen Strand Larsen, with Wolves confident of keeping their forward after a stellar season at Molineux Stadium.
Losing Isak, who has notched 62 goals and 10 assists in 109 appearances since his arrival, would be an enormous blow, and the club clearly know that amid links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
However, the 22-year-old appears to have chosen Man United over a move to St James’ Park, with the Magpies being sent straight back to square one, with less than a month of the window remaining.
Their current striker accounted for 33 per cent of Newcastle’s Premier League goals last season. Should he move away, and he has made it clear he wants to, that is not an easy gap to fill.
Hugo Ekitike has already chosen Liverpool, while Bryan Mbeumo has joined Man United. Yoane Wissa, while he is still at Brentford, is not being given an easy route out. It’s a tense time at St James’ Park.