Willock injury should see Longstaff start v Arsenal

Newcastle United host Arsenal at St James Park on Monday evening, but Eddie Howe has a number of injury worries ahead of the meeting.

Jonjo Shelvey has been ruled out for the rest of the season and may need to be replaced by Joelinton, but Joe Willock might not be passed fit in time to face his former club either.

The 22-year-old has a knee injury that threatens to keep him out for the remainder of the campaign, so Howe might have to plan to beat Arsenal without him.

In addition to Shelvey, Newcastle don’t have Isaac Hayden available either, so Sean Longstaff is likely to start in midfield. He hasn’t held down a regular starting place for months but has been a useful player when called upon.

The 24-year-old has made 22 Premier League appearances this season, starting only three times since January, but he’s important to Howe while injuries ravage his midfield.

Newcastle are trying to tie Longstaff down to a new deal, so they recognise his quality and worth to the team, but he won’t commit his future until he receives assurances over playing time.  

A run of games at the end of this campaign might convince the 24-year-old that he still has a future in the North-East.

In other news, injury blow to Jonjoe Shelvey could see Joelinton start in midfield v Arsenal