Go for Joe! Fans want to see Willock in starting line

NEWCASTLE United fans have sent a resounding message to manager Steve Bruce that Joe Willock must start against Liverpool on Saturday.

The Arsenal loanee had started seven consecutive matches since joining the club in February but has found himself out of the starting XI since the Magpies returned from the March international break.

After a difficult run of form, Newcastle have picked up two wins and a draw in April to move themselves eight points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone.

That has coincided with Willock being demoted to the substitutes bench but that doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story.

While the former England under-21 international found himself an unused substitute in the win over Burnley, he was twice introduced from the bench to score crucial goals.

Willock crashed home a dramatic equaliser in the spirited 2-2 draw with Tottenham and he backed that up with a terrific header to seal a vital three points in the 3-2 win over West Ham on Saturday.

And in a poll on our Twitter page (@ ChronicleNUFC), 90% of over 1,000 Magpies fans who voted would like to see Willock start for Newcastle against Liverpool at Anfield.

And when asked who Willock should replace in midfield, fans were almost unequivocal in their belief that Jonjo Shelvey should make way for the 21-year-old.

76.9% of fans voted for Shelvey to be replaced, while 18% of fans would bring Willock in for Sean Longstaff. Just 1.7% of fans voted for Miguel Almiron to make way and 3.4% would choose someone else to make way for Willock.

In justifying Willock’s exclusion from the side, Bruce admitted that Willock’s levels ‘had dropped’ recently - which he felt was understandable for a young player - but the United boss also said he would love to ‘build his team around’ the talented midfielder, hinting at a summer move for the young Gunners star.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has admitted he ‘likes’ Joe Willock but concedes the Arsenal midfielder - currently on loan at Newcastle United - is out of his reach.

Warnock, speaking to reporters about his plans for the summer transfer window, believes that Willock will cost at least £20 million this summer after impressing on loan at St James’ Park.

Speaking about the summer, Warnock told our sister paper The Gazette: “We’re talking to one loan target in particular at the moment, that we’re hoping we can get in.

“He’s at a Premier League club, and we’ve liked him ever since I’ve been at the club really. We’ll try and see if we can talk him into coming up here. There’s not a lot like that out there though.

“The real top ones of the 19 or 20-year-olds, they’re probably going to get higher up than us. I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but clubs in the Premier League will want them.

“Look at (Joe) Willock at Newcastle I like him, but he’s probably going to go for about £20m if they get him.

“The top ones are beyond us, so we have to look a little bit below or for someone we can nurture. We think we can with this lad, and I’m still optimistic. I think I’m talking to his dad later this week.”

Willock has netted three goals in nine games since moving to Tyneside and has been praised for his energy and tidiness on the ball.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been following his progress and seems unlikely to sanction a permanent exit from The Emirates unless a big fee is offered.

There has been talk of Willock returning to Newcastle onloan next season, and head coach Steve Bruce has been open with his desire to keep the midfielder.

I like him [Joe Willock] but he’s probably going to go for about £20m Boro boss Neil Warnock