Newcastle are assessing Joe Willock ahead of facing Leeds on Friday after the midfielder sustained a knock in Saturday’s defeat to Manchester United, according to Chronicle Live.
Willock opened the Old Trafford affair for his third appearance since completing a £25m permanent transfer from Arsenal this summer. Steve Bruce was confident there were no risks in fielding the 22-year-old against Aston Villa last month, despite his lack of minutes.
The midfielder barely played over the Gunners’ pre-season and arrived on Tyneside lacking match fitness. But Bruce argued the work Willock had done in training during the summer and with the Magpies meant he was in a good enough condition for his second debut.
Willock played the full 90 minutes at Aston Villa and 84 minutes against Southampton prior to the international break. He added another 84 minutes to his tally on Saturday during the Toon’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester United. But missed the final stages after taking a knock.
Newcastle are now sweating over the fitness of Ciaran Clark and Javier Manquillo, along with Willock, ahead of facing Leeds. Clark returned to Bruce’s backline at Old Trafford after missing meetings with Aston Villa and Southampton. He opened the 4-2 loss to West Ham.
Manquillo also returned to the Magpies squad against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to make his first appearance of the season. Bruce left the full-back out of his first two squads before he took a seat on the bench against Southampton.
The 27-year-old marked his return to Premier League action by scoring Newcastle’s only goal at Manchester United. He had not featured in the top-flight since April, with Bruce favouring Jacob Murphy over the final fixtures last season.
Should Bruce risk Willock when Newcastle face Leeds?
Bruce will hope Willock has not sustained a serious injury and Newcastle can pass him fit ahead of hosting Leeds. The England U21 international only missed the Toon’s defeat to West Ham having joined from Arsenal just two days earlier.
Yet, despite missing the opening day, he already ranks seventh for minutes played at St James’ Park this season. Only Murphy (283) and Jamaal Lascelles (270) have played more than Willock (259), among those yet to make four starts.
Willock will likely be one of the first names on Newcastle’s teamsheet against Leeds if fit. He secured his place – and a permanent transfer – after netting in each of the Magpies’ final seven games last season. After which, Darren Bent was surprised to see Arsenal let a young and ‘hungry’ player leave the Emirates Stadium.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
