Journalist Ross Gregory has claimed that Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock may not be fit enough to play in the upcoming Carabao Cup final.

What’s the latest on Joe Willock and his NUFC injury?

The Englishman is currently a doubt for the club’s next Premier League fixture after coming off early last weekend with a hamstring injury.

While it will be bad enough to lose a key member of the Magpies set up for that big league clash against Liverpool, Willock will nervously be looking beyond that with regard to his possible return.

Indeed, Eddie Howe and co take on Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on 26th February, and it now looks as though the midfielder is facing a race against time to get fit.

While speaking about the possible injury disappointment on NUFC Matters, Gregory explained: “Joe Willock, I don’t see being fit [for Liverpool]. I think that’s fairly obvious that his hamstring injury is going to keep them out, and potentially keep him out of the Wembley fixture as well, which would be a real blow for him.

“I think he’s going to be out. That leaves Newcastle really short on options in that centre of the park.” What does the Willock injury mean for Newcastle?

If Willock can’t play against the Red Devils, that will come as a huge blow for the individual who no doubt would be desperate to feature in the club’s first cup final since 1999.

Seeing as he has played in every round of the Carabao Cup so far as well – earning a respectable average of 6.73 match rating per game in the competition, too (via Sofascore) – manager Howe likely won’t want to alter his winning formula at the final hurdle if possible.

In total, Willock has featured in 29 games across all competitions this term for the Magpies, showing just how trusted he is by his manager. If he can’t play at Wembley they may struggle without him.