Tuesday provided an update on Joe Willock’s status. The midfielder’s last appearance was in the match against Fulham, where he started but had to be substituted off before half-time due to injury. Unfortunately, his season has been plagued by injuries, limiting him to only fourteen appearances thus far, with nine starts and five substitute appearances. However, according to an exclusive report from The Mail today, it seems that Willock’s season may have come to an end.
According to The Mail’s information, Joe Willock has consulted a specialist who confirmed that he could technically continue playing despite his Achilles issue. However, the plan, as understood, is to prioritize a period of rest and strength training to fully address the Achilles problem before the start of pre-season. Eddie Howe is keen on ensuring that Willock is completely free from the issue, especially considering the midfielder’s recent below-par performances. Therefore, it’s deemed the best course of action to end Willock’s campaign prematurely.
While everyone hopes for Newcastle United to finish the season strongly, it appears that prioritizing Willock’s long-term health is the sensible decision. Rather than risking further injury by playing him in the remaining half a dozen games, which could potentially secure European football next season, the focus is on providing Willock with the necessary rest and treatment behind the scenes. This approach aims to give him the best chance of fully recovering from the Achilles problem and returning to competitive action at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.