Eddie Howe has confirmed Joe Willock is a doubt for Newcastle United’s Premier League meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday evening.
The midfielder, who has once again established himself as a key player in the post-Steve Bruce era, has been suffering with a knee problem and is thought to have played through the pain barrier against Tottenham last Sunday.
That could lead to Bruno Guimaraes getting his first start in front of a home crowd alongside Joelinton and Jonjo Shelvey in the centre of the park.
Elsewhere, Howe has revealed there has been a spate of illness throughout the team although did not reveal any names. Miguel Almiron, however, was absent from the squad in north London
Aside from relatively long-term absences Federico Fernandez, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, Willock would appear to be the only player there is a doubt about.
Largely, it’s hard to see too many changes, even after a poor result at Spurs.
Newcastle United predicted XI (4-3-3): Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin, Wood, Fraser
Doubts: Joe Willock (knee)
Injured: Callum Wilson (Achilles), Kieran Trippier (foot), Federico Fernandez (strain)
Date and time: 8pm BST, Friday April 8, 2022
Venue: St James’ Park
Referee: Peter Bankes, Jarred Gillett (VAR)
