Overview

• Eddie Howe confirmed that Joe Willock has a calf muscle injury rather than Achilles damage and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
• The knock rules Willock out of Newcastle’s opening Premier League match and could delay his return until September.
• Sandro Tonali recovered from a left-leg knock and is expected to feature in Sunday’s friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.
• Newcastle now have four senior midfielders—Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley—vying for three central roles.
• The shortage highlights pressure on Howe to balance player fitness, promote youth prospects and secure reinforcements before the season starts.