Newcastle United will be without Joe Willock and Lewis Miley for the remainder of the season due to injuries, manager Eddie Howe has confirmed.
Willock, who joined Newcastle from Arsenal for £25 million in 2021, has been struggling with an Achilles injury and suffered a setback during the 1-0 win at Fulham earlier this month.
“With Joe, we all have decided – the medical team, Joe – that a period where he strengthens the area around his Achilles would benefit him more,” Howe said. “He could have carried on playing, but I think the longer-term view was taken, ‘Let’s get him right for next season’.”
Miley, a 17-year-old midfielder, has made a breakthrough into the first team this season, playing 30 times for Howe’s side. However, he has been missing with a back injury and Howe does not want to risk a recurrence by rushing him back.
“The decision made on him again was to look at his long-term future and try to protect him, so we won’t see Lewie again this season,” Howe said. “He’s done brilliantly this season, but I think with the back problem that he has, rest is probably the right way for us to go.”
Newcastle are particularly injury-stricken at the moment, with Miguel Almiron, Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Matt Targett all in the treatment room. However, Callum Wilson could be in contention for the game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday after returning to training following a pectoral problem.
