Newcastle United star shares injury update after 'frustrating' absence

Joe Willock has posted an injury update after confirmation he will miss the rest of Newcastle United’s season.

Willock has struggled with an Achilles and has missed United’s last four games after being substituted off at Fulham. The former Arsenal man could have played on but the Magpies have acted with a “longer-term view”.

“With Joe, we’ve all decided - medical and Joe - that a period where he strengthens the area of his Achilles would benefit him more,” United boss Eddie Howe said after the game.

“He went to see a specialist and they said ‘you’ve got a couple of options here’. He could have carried on playing but I think the longer-term view was taken ‘let’s get him right for next season’. That’s what he is working towards.” The 24-year-old has taken to social media to post a fitness update, reassuring United fans he is working towards a full recovery.

“Step by step,” he said, alongside a photo of him on an exercise bike.

Is surgery needed? “No,” Howe replied. “I think that has been made clear to him on a couple of occasions. Surgery wouldn’t be beneficial to his situation. “The Achilles is improving well from the originally injury he had. He’s had a little bit of discomfort in there but we hope with rest and strengthening he’ll be fine.”

Willock missed the opening stages of the season before being ruled out between November and February with the same issue. It has restricted him to just 14 appearances.

“Big frustration for Joe, I think he’s desperate to play. But most importantly desperate to go into games feeling good with his body, and I think that is a challenge for any player. “The game is hard enough, the levels are so high that if you’re not 100% fit the game usually finds a way to catch you out, and I think Joe has just been frustrated that he’s not felt his normal self. “When he’s played, he’s been carrying that issue for a while and it’s just been nagging at the back of his head so hopefully he can get to a situation where Joe is just concentrating and feeling athletically at his best.” Newcastle United are in action again on Saturday 4th May against Burnley (3pm kick-off.)