Newcastle United £20m star continues recovery overseas after six-week injury blow

Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock has been out in Spain this week as he steps up his recovery from an Achilles injury.

The Magpies have been without Willock since May after he sustained a hamstring injury during the penultimate home game of the 2022-23 campaign.

The former Arsenal man was initially due to return in pre-season but suffered a setback. United hoped to have him available after the September international break but Eddie Howe revealed after Brighton & Hove Albion last time out he had suffered a new injury.

“Joe’s had a bit of a setback with an Achilles injury,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “It’s not related to his hamstring problem so I think he’ll be missing for around six weeks.”

Whilst some of his teammates are on international duty and the rest prepare for Saturday evening’s Premier League clash against Brentford (kick-off 5:30pm), Willock travelled to Barcelona alongside club physio Daniel Marti to work on his recovery. Willock is expected to resume full training in mid-October.

Howe has admitted the 24-year-old is a big miss in his three-man midfield with questions asked of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton following three consecutive defeats to Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton.

“I think it’s in its infancy, that has to be noted,” Howe said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily a criticism of any one of those players but it’s a new-look midfield and that takes time to build the relationships where it’s automatic.

“Individually they’re all top, top players. We’re missing Joe Willock who’s a big miss in terms of energy. Joey declared himself fit yesterday but was not at 100 per-cent with the knee problem he had. There are mitigating circumstances.”

Willock joined United from Arsenal for £20million two years ago.