Newcastle United star issues 116-word statement after suffering year-long injury battle
Joe Willock is fit and firing again - with the Newcastle United ace eager to build on an impressive November comeback.
Eddie Howe started the 25-year-old in the consecutive Premier League wins over Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Against the Tricky Trees in particular, Willock impressed and was arguably Newcastle’s best player before running out of steam on 70 minutes.
That was the first time Willock played back-to-back games since March given his poor injury record. The midfielder spent three lengthy spells on the treatment table last year after suffering Achilles and hamstring setbacks.
New performance director James Bunce was brought in over the summer to address the dismal injury record - and Howe has eased Willock back into St James’ Park life. Recent games have seen the £25million man wedge his way into the starting line-up to solve Newcastle’s midfield conundrum.
Speaking to the club’s media channel on the mid-season tour of Saudi Arabia, Willock insisted more is yet to come. The Magpies welcome West Ham United to Tyneside next Monday aiming for a third straight Premier League win.
“It’s very warm but I think it will be good for us going back and improving our fitness,” Willock said. “I feel good. I feel like I’m getting back to my best. I feel like I’m playing well, trying to affect games.
“I’m going to keep pushing on. Hopefully, I can continue pushing and start scoring and assisting goals on a regular basis. The Premier League is so hard to get back into and get started at your best again.
“It’s good to get my minutes up and get my feet back under the table. We’re at home (against West Ham), in front of our own fans for a night-time kick-off… we look forward to it.”