Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Joe Willock is fine ahead of his team's Premier League clash against Wolves later this afternoon.

What's the story?

Speaking just last week before the game against Watford, Bruce initially said: "Joe Willock picked up an injury in this week, unfortunately, and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his thigh. So they, unfortunately, go on to the injured list, which makes that about five or six of our first team.

"Not that healthy, I have to say. Disappointed. Joe’s was a complete fluke, unfortunately he kicked the ground, damaged his toe. He’ll not make this week, and probably touch and go whether he’ll make next week as well." To the surprise of everybody, Willock made a quick recovery and was able to start that game against the Hornets as the Magpies came away with a point from Vicarage Road. Bruce has now confirmed a huge boost ahead of the clash against Wolves today by revealing that the 22-year-old has been partaking in first-team training again.

The manager said: "He's been OK. He was desperate to play. He trained last Friday which was a surprise to us all. He's going to train again today and he trained yesterday so he'll be OK."

Fans will be excited

The fact that Willock started last time out against Watford must have come as a pleasant surprise for most Newcastle fans, and while he didn't exactly have a barnstorming game by any stretch of the imagination, he still showed exactly why he's such a vital part of this Magpies team.

As per Sofascore, nobody could match the impressive five tackles that he made, while only one other player could equal his four shots on goal and two successful dribbles on the day - the kind of all-round, all-action display that Willock has often come to produce since joining Newcastle.

While he has yet to find the back of the net so far this season despite a goal-laden 2020/21 loan spell, he has still shown his importance to Bruce's side with a squad-high 4.3 tackles per game, while only Saint-Maximin has averaged more dribbles per match than the former Gunners starlet. It's exactly why fans should be excited with the manager's confirmation that Willock should be fit and raring to go today against Wolves. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Chris Waugh has dropped a promising Newcastle United takeover update...