Joe Willock admits he is ‘enjoying being a Newcastle player every week’ after on-loan Arsenal star grabbed his third goal in four with last-gasp equaliser at Liverpool, with Magpies boss Steve Bruce eyeing permanent move in the summer
- Newcastle are reportedly keen to sign Gunners star Willock after a fine loan spell
- Willock, 21, is in strong goalscoring form and rescued a point against Liverpool
- Steve Bruce has hailed Willock’s ‘vitally important’ role in their relegation battle
Joe Willock has conceded how much he is enjoying playing at Newcastle every week after his late equaliser rescued a point in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
The rangy 21-year-old midfielder, on loan from Arsenal, is in sparkling goalscoring form for the Magpies with three late strikes in his last four matches, including equalisers against Tottenham and Liverpool and the winner against West Ham.
Magpies manager Steve Bruce has hailed Willock’s ‘vitally important’ role in the club’s battle against the drop, and is keen to sign him permanently this summer, although it would likely cost him around £20million.
On-loan Arsenal star Joe Willock admitted he is enjoying life at Newcastle after another goal
The 21-year-old midfielder scored a 95th-minute equaliser against Liverpool on Saturday
England U21 international Willock is in fine goalscoring form, with three in his last four games
And the three-cap England U21 international opened up on his satisfaction at playing regularly for Bruce’s relegation-threatened side, after only making seven Premier League appearances for the Gunners in the first half of the season.
He said after the match: ‘I’m happy to help the team again. We pushed very hard in the second half, we were growing in confidence. Apart from the sloppy goal, I thought the boys played really well today.
‘I’m just trying to give my best for the team, even if I get 10 (minutes), 15, half an hour. We were pushing, we didn’t lose confidence. It shows how much we’ve grown as a team.
Magpies boss Steve Bruce has said he hopes to sign him, although he would cost £20million
‘We’ve been working at that (getting in behind) in training because they stay very high. It’s that extra pass, extra shot, it wasn’t coming off.
‘I’m enjoying being a Newcastle player every week, I’m really enjoying my football at the moment.’
Up next Newcastle host Willock’s parent club on Sunday – for which he will be ineligible – before travelling to high-flying Leicester on Friday.
