JOE Willock has been backed to rediscover the goalscoring touch which made him a Newcastle record-breaker.

The former Arsenal midfielder became the youngest-ever player to find the net in seven consecutive Premier League games under Steve Bruce two seasons ago

But since then, the goals have dried up with just two last term while he’s drawn a blank so far this campaign

Toon chief Eddie Howe expects the drought to end soon – and having gone close to breaking his duck in the 4-1 win at Fulham, he wouldn’t be surprised if Brentford are made to pay at St James’ Park today.

“There is a huge amount to come from Joe,” said Howe, who could have Allan Saint-Maximin available .

“He has all the tools – athletically he’s very good and technically, he’s good too and as he showed when he first came to the club, Joe has an eye for goal.

“We have not seen that fall into place yet this season but I believe it will. He was very unlucky last week because if Callum Wilson hadn’t tapped that one in on the goalline, it was probably his goal. And he’s getting into all the right areas.”

In the second half of last season, it was Bruno Guimaraes who emerged as United’s chief goalscoring threat from midfield.

But Howe believes Willock could yet prove the most prolific from that department.

He added: “I think he is capable of being that goalscoring midfielder and that is naturally what Joe see himself as being which is hugely important.

“At Fulham, he was everywhere on the pitch - in the wide areas a lot and in central areas.

“Joe is an all-round midfielder but he definitely wants to score goals and will be frustrated that he has not taken one of the chances he’s had.”

The Toon Army will be in euphoric mood tomorrow as it celebrates the first anniversary of the Saudi takeover. But for Howe himself, a home game against Brentford brings bitter-sweet memories.

He was due to be unveiled at St James’s Park for the corresponding fixture last season only to go down with COVID 24 hours earlier. Having to watch his new charges from a hotel bedroom was not the greatest experience for him.

“Those 90 minutes were probably the toughest I have ever had as a manager,” he recalls. “But in hindsight, drawing 3-3 was a decent result in the position we were in. Rather than seeing it as two points dropped, I think it proved to be a good point.”