'Big miss' - Newcastle United fitness claim after midfielder ruled out of 37 matches

Willock started against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and played a key part in the goal that put the Magpies 2-0 up. It was his flicked header from Alexander Isak’s cross that was turned into his own net by Axel Disasi.

Willock was making his fourth start of the campaign with his previous three ending in frustration. In the away match at Nottingham Forest, the midfielder opened the scoring early before being forced to withdraw with a thigh issue. He then failed to make an impact against League Two side AFC Wimbledon.

The 25-year-old’s only Premier League start saw him hooked at half-time in the 3-1 defeat at Fulham but his performance versus Chelsea has put him contention for the visit of former club Arsenal on Saturday.

Willock was restricted to just 14 appearances last term because of a long-term Achilles injury but Howe thinks the player is nearing full capacity.

“He's getting closer, I would say,” Howe said. “He has had a tough time with injuries. From what looked like a serious hamstring injury when he first did it a long-time ago, he then had added complications in other areas of his body.

“It hasn't been a straight road back for him, he's had lots of moments where he's been incredibly frustrated that he hasn't been able to kick on and get to the levels that he has done historically for us.

“I thought Wednesday was probably his best game since he's come back. I think he physically looked really, really good and that is his game, so if he's not feeling physically good, I think you lose a major part of his armoury.

“His ability to run box-to-box in a really quick way, his ability to sense where the goal is and where the ball is going to arrive… I think he did a couple of times, obviously one for the second goal and once towards the end of the half where he's had to sprint near enough three-quarters of the pitch to get on an Anthony Gordon cross – that's Joe at his best, so I was really pleased to see it.

“He's been a big miss for us because he adds a totally different feel in our midfield, a real goal threat and the athletic qualities we need.”