Newcastle United are still missing Joe Willock after an injury picked up in Asia
Joe Willock is stretchered off against K-League XI
Newcastle United will be without Joe Willock for a 'few more weeks' as the midfielder continues to recover from a calf injury suffered in Asia.
The former Arsenal star picked up the issue late on against a K-League XI in South Korea, worrying supporters as he was stretchered off in the closing stages of the Far East defeat.
Newcastle staff initially feared Willock had suffered an Achilles injury but the 25-year-old is now working towards a recovery after seeing a specialist in recent days.
"Joe's doing well, yeah," Howe said after Saturday's defeat to Atletico Madrid. "We initially, as I said, feared that he would be out longer term.
"It looked a nasty injury right at the end of the game and I didn't like the way he went down and reacted to the feeling that he got.
"It did look like it was painful for him.
"Fingers crossed he's recovering well, he's been to see a specialist and the news is pretty good, so a few more weeks and I think Joe will be back."
Willock's absence for the Sela Weekender double header saw Howe experiment with unorthodox options in the middle of the park due to a lack of options in that area of the pitch.
Matt Targett started in the unfamiliar role on Friday evening against Espanyol, helping himself to a rare goal in front of the Gallowgate End in the first-half.
The Sela Cup clash with Atletico Madrid saw right-back Harrison Ashby occupying the role of Newcastle's right-sided No 8, impressing Howe in the process.
"I think the biggest thing today is I liked his attitude," he said after the game. "He attacked the position.
"He's very rarely played that position, although he has trained there for us. It's a sign of our squad depth. We are stretched in midfield."
Howe also brought attacking midfielder Alfie Harrison off the bench in both outings against the Spanish opponents, with the former Manchester City academy star hoping to impress this season in and around the first-team.
There is an opening for one of United's young guns to fill following Sean Longstaff's Leeds United move and Willock's continued absence.
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