Newcastle United £63m double injury boost teased as Joe Willock issues three-word update

Newcastle United are close to welcoming back Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock with both players teasing their respective return from injury.

The Magpies have been without £38million summer signing Barnes since he sustained a toe injury during the 8-0 win at Sheffield United in September. That was only the winger's second start after joining from Leicester City.

Barnes was initially due to return in December but the injury was still causing him pain. United feared the 26-year-old could require surgery but Barnes' latest update has hinted that a comeback is just around the corner.

Uploading to Instagram on Thursday morning, Barnes posted a photo from the club's Benton training ground of him wearing his boots with a full battery emoji, suggesting a return is close.

Less than an hour later, Willock also offered great hope of a return in the coming weeks. The former Arsenal midfielder too was pictured in his boots with the caption "step by step".

Willock was previously ruled out for five months, first suffering a hamstring injury and then an Achilles injury, before returning in October. However, six games later, the 24-year-old suffered a recurrence of the latter.

Eddie Howe's squad are desperate to get Willock back available following the news this week that Joelinton will be sidelined until May after undergoing thigh surgery.

Newcastle currently have just three fit senior midfielders in Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes, who is one Premier League yellow card away from serving a two-match ban.

Howe hopes to have both Jacob Murphy and Callum Wilson soon ahead of the visit to Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday and Aston Villa in the Premier League three days' later.