Report: Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock are now nearing a return to fitness

Newcastle United are around two to three weeks away from actual good news with two players nearing a return to action.

Craig Hope of The Daily Mail has provided a little ray of sunshine today after making Geordies cry last night with his story about Joelinton.

Hope took to social media to plug his latest story, giving fans an update on some of the key injuries plaguing the squad right now.

Hope is giving us hope

While it wasn't all good news, there were definitely a couple of glimmers of hope in there - pun absolutely intended.

Hope has claimed that Joe Willock is only a couple of weeks away from a return and that Harvey Barnes could return even sooner than Willock. Both of those coming back would give Eddie Howe so many more options in the midfield.

Callum Wilson is likely to miss the FA Cup tie with Fulham but could be available for the League game with Aston Villa just a few days later which will allow Alexander Isak a bit of a rest.

If we can keep players fit going forward the second half of the season should be fine, just fine

Elliot Anderson is still expected to be missing for another six weeks with his back injury, but Jacob Murphy is close to a comeback.

Finally, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Provided we keep those who are currently fit away from the treatment room and we halt this one-in-one-out policy that we've been operating this season.

We aren't playing favourites by any means here, but honestly, we can't wait to have Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes back.