Steve Howey fears Joe Willock may fail to replicate his best form if he is put under too much pressure following his big-money move to Newcastle United.

Willock has been the Magpies' only signing of the transfer window so far, with the midfielder arriving from Arsenal in a £20million deal.

The 22-year-old has made the permanent switch to St James' Park after enjoying a successful loan spell with the Tyneside club, where he scored eight goals in 14 appearances, last season.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has confirmed Willock was his number one transfer target in the window and, while he missed the opening day defeat to West Ham United after failing to complete the move in time, the central midfielder was drafted straight into the starting line-up for the trip to Aston Villa last weekend.

Willock also came on as a substitute in the League Cup clash with Burnley in midweek and Howey has insisted that Magpies fans must not expect Willock to replicate last season's goalscoring form on a regular basis.

The former Newcastle defender exclusively told Football FanCast: "We can't be putting everything on his shoulders. There's absolutely no doubt that he is a very good player but he can't be the saviour for Newcastle.

"His and Callum Wilson's goals helped us be in the position we finished last season but he might find it difficult this season and, all of a sudden, the pressure is on him. I just think we can't be pinning our hopes on him and Wilson."