NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Eddie Howe has praised Joe Willock for hitting the ground running following his return from a frustrating injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old midfielder has made only nine appearances to date this season after suffering a hamstring tear and then an Achilles problem.

However, he has shown signs of regaining his best form, scoring on his return as a substitute against former club Arsenal on February 24 and then getting more than an hour under his belt in each of the subsequent fixtures against Blackburn and Wolves.

Asked about Willock's form ahead of Monday night's Premier League trip to Chelsea, head coach Howe said: "He's come back looking really good, I have to say. I have to give him a big pat on the back for how he's looked, because it's not been easy for him.

"He's someone that's so young and ambitious and determined to play and do well. Being out injured is not something that he's been used to and dealing with that sometimes takes a bit of experience to know what to do and how to handle yourself.

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"He's done really well with his rehab, he's really matured in certain aspects of his personality - which he's had to do to come back from the injury that he's had - and I think that's then shown in his play.

"He's got a unique mix to his game. He's got real good running capacity and pace in his game, but also he knows where the goal is. He's very popular in the dressing room. The players love playing with him."

Willock made his name on Tyneside three seasons ago when he scored in each of the final seven games of a hugely impressive loan spell to persuade then Magpies boss Steve Bruce to invest his entire £25m summer transfer budget in him.

Fitness problems have hampered his progress since, but Howe has seen significant improvement in the midfielder since his own arrival at St James' Park in November 2021 and is confident there is more to come.

He said: "I would say his decision-making with the ball has definitely improved. I would say his decision-making generally is very attack-minded. You need that, especially from midfield, so yes, he's added to our creativity.

"I think his defensive performances have also made a step forward during my time here. He's a naturally attack-minded player, but his athleticism means he is able to recover defensively. He's shown a great understanding of the game defensively.

"We're still trying to improve aspects of his game, but he's maturing very nicely."