Joe Willock has returned from injury in time to face his former club Arsenal next week, praising his manager’s support throughout the process.

Newcastle United's English midfielder Joe Willock celebrates after scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham and Newcastle United at the London Stadium, in London on February 19, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s English midfielder Joe Willock celebrates after scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham and Newcastle United at the London Stadium, in London on February 19, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Before Wednesday night, former Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock hadn’t played a single minute of football for Newcastle United in 2023/24, having struggled with a hamstring injury.

But the 24-year-old returned to action in midweek, making the Newcastle squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Willock ended up coming on for the final 20 minutes of the Dortmund clash, making his Champions League debut.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Joe Willock of Newcastle United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Molineux on October 02, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Joe Willock of Newcastle United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Molineux on October 02, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

It wasn’t Newcastle’s best day in the end, as they lost 1-0 to drop to third in the group, but Willock will be pleased to have made his comeback.

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Speaking after the game, the former Gunner revealed that Eddie Howe had supported him throughout the process.

“He never went a day without seeing me,” Willock said. “He never went a day without speaking to me, asking me where my mental side was. We just had a lot of good conversations and it means a lot.

“When you’re out for so long, you have this fear that people forget about you, around the ground and stuff. But the gaffer, he made sure that he always saw me every day.”

Joe Willock celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Sunday May 23, 2021. Copyright: Adam Davy
Joe Willock celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Sunday, May 23, 2021. Copyright: Adam Davy

Willock’s last game was all the way back in May, playing against Brighton in a 4-1 win. But he’s now returned just in time to face Arsenal.

Newcastle United host the Gunners next Saturday, November 4th at 17:30 BST, and it seems Willock could now be in line to feature in that match.

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