Newcastle United were rocked by a major injury blow during their Premier League battle for Europe with Brighton & Hove Albion. There was an hour on the clock when Joe Willock went down clutching his hamstring near the touchline.
With Willock clearly in agony, the midfielder - who has been a star all season - was subbed by Eddie Howe for Elliot Anderson. Willock required help down the tunnel from medics as he struggled to walk and concerned skipper Jamaal Lascelles, not in the squad due to injury, made his way to the dressing rooms with him to console the youngster.
As he left the field, Kieran Trippier also hugged the former Arsenal player and assured him as he left the pitch. Willock was applauded warmly by 50,000 Newcastle fans who have been impressed with his efforts all term.
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Willock has been instrumental this season for Newcastle but now faces an anxious wait to see whether his campaign may have ended prematurely. The Magpies can't afford any more injuries in that position with Sean Longstaff already on the treatment table.
Willock has been a class act all season and had began to enter the conversation for an England call-up. “That definitely should be an aim of his. I think he had the potential to do it," Howe said of the matter this year.
“For Joe, he has areas to improve, as all players do in the squad. It is there for him. He is young enough and he has potential to grow."
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