REACH FOR THE STARS
Howe tells ‘Willockinho’ to make England his goal
JOE WILLOCK has been urged to target an England call up by Eddie Howe.
The midfielder has been tipped to challenge for Gareth Southgate’s squad after a series of excellent performances for Newcastle.
Howe, whose side visit Forest tonight, says Willock, 23, can only improve. He already has the strength to match the best and been dubbed “Willockinho” by midfield partner Bruno Guimaraes, right.
The Brazilian said: “Willockinho is a good player. He is young and doing very well. He has good character and I like to play with him. He is important for the team. He likes his new nickname. It’s Willockinho forever now!”
Toon head coach Howe said: “Joe has epitomised the team with his energy and his quality. England? That should be an aim. He has the potential to do it.
“Joe has areas to improve on, as do all players, but it is there for him. Since my time here he has been excellent and his game has improved.
“He has more to go. He can get more goals, he can assist more, especially the position he is playing in. The goal he scored against Chelsea was a brilliant finish, and if he can add a few more like that he will be knocking on the door.
“He can get around the pitch brilliantly – he dovetails into a wide area for us too, a natural rotation into those areas. That versatility is key.”
Willock joined from Arsenal in 2021 after a scoring streak while on loan.
Howe added: “There are different ways to achieve your end goal. If it’s to play for your national team, there are different ways to get there. Joe took the decision to leave Arsenal to try to play more football and his career is in a good place. I’d like to think we are a good place for any young player to come and develop, improve and excel.”
Anthony Gordon’s ankle injury is likely to keep him out until after the international break.
Howe said: “It wasn’t a week-or-two injury. It’s slightly more serious than that, so we are doing everything we can to get him back as quickly as possible.”
The Toon are trying to live in the present as the pressure builds in the race for Europe.
“People are obsessed with Europe,” said Howe. “But for me it’s about being the best we can every week and ultimately we’ll achieve what we deserve to achieve.”
Forest midfielder Orel Mangala believes Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has matured into the “complete striker”. Both played in Germany, so Mangala is a good judge. He said: “I know Isak. When we see each other we are happy and we follow each other on social media. In Germany he didn’t have a lot of chances but we have to be careful with him. He is quick and good technically.
“He can score too and is quite complete for a striker because he’s tall. He is ready for the highest level.”
NOTTM FOREST (probable): Navas; Aurier, Worrall, Felipe, Lodi; Freuler, Shelvey, Mangala; Johnson, Gibbs-White; Ayew.
NEWCASTLE (probable): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Saint-Maximin, Almiron, Isak.