JOE WILLOCK has been ‘banging down the door’ in an attempt to persuade Steve Bruce to restore him to Newcastle United’s starting line-up – and looks set to be granted his wish with a place in the starting XI at Leicester City tomorrow night.

Having come off the bench to score in each of his last three appearances, Willock was ineligible for last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal.

He can play at the King Power tomorrow though, and is expected to feature in the starting side, with Miguel Almiron, who underperformed against Arsenal, the likeliest player to make way.

Bruce said: “He came in against Southampton, for his first game, and did very, very well. Any young player, they go up and down a little bit, but certainly he’s been knocking on the door.

“Of course he has. He’s had a terrific time for us – four goals from midfield in nine or ten games, he’s been great. Knocking on the door is the polite way to put it.”

Youngster Elliot Anderson is another player who would have been hoping for a first-team opportunity in Newcastle’s remaining four matches, but the 18-year-old has suffered a hip injury that will limit his opportunities in the remainder of the campaign.

Bruce said: “Unfortunately, he’s (Anderson) picked up a knock in the last game he played. That’s set him back a little bit. We’re not so sure how bad it is, but certainly he’s got a hip problem at the moment.

“We’re delighted with his progress – he’s only 18 – and he’s got a big future, we hope, as long as he keeps his head down and keeps working well. But, as I said, he’ll be struggling a bit for the next couple of weeks I would have thought.”