'Not too long': Journalist gives positive update on £25m Newcastle midfielder after knock

Newcastle United's treatment room picked up where it left off last season with the revolving door continuing to spin.

Joe Willock has become the first player through the doors at the treatment room this season after lasting just 15 minutes in his first start of the season in the Carabao Cup fixture against Nottingham Forest.

Willock got Newcastle off to a flying start netting after just 18 seconds. A couple of minutes later the £25 million signing from Arsenal was opening up the Forest defence again, squaring the ball for Sandro Tonali whose shot was smothered by the giant Carlos Miguel in goal.

Unfortunately, that was about as much as we saw of the dynamic midfielder after a clash in the Newcastle box saw Willock pick up a knock that would see him taken out of the game with Bruno Guimaraes replacing him.

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Eddie Howe initially said the injury didn't look good

After the game Eddie Howe claimed that the injury didn't look good and Newcastle fans were bracing themselves for the news that it would be months until we saw Willock in action again.

Now Chris Waugh has told the Pod on the Tyne podcast that things aren't as bad as first feared.

“It was a strange one. The initial fear was that it could be his Achilles again. If it was, that would really have been a concern given all the issues he had last year.

“His trailing leg was almost caught. It turns out it is a bit of a thigh problem. It seem as if, hopefully, that’s a matter of weeks rather than months.

“Not too long after the international break, if the early prognosis is correct, Joe Willock could be back.”

Newcastle must have one of the strongest midfield in the league

That sounds like Willock could be back later this month which is fantastic news given how much of last season he missed through his achilles injury.

Newcastle really are a different side with Willock in it, and him being fit gives Eddie Howe a huge selection problem in midfield with him battling against Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff for a starting role.

Fingers crossed this is just an early bump in the road for Willock and he can see the rest of the season out fully fit.