Off the pitch, Newcastle United’s summer and pre-season preparation are in an absolute state.

But on the pitch, things took a turn today, not so much due to a defeat in South Korea, but the latest injury suffered to add to Eddie Howe’s woes.

Not only did Sven Botman miss out, as expected, with a slight groin issue, we saw Emil Krafth limp off before Joe Willock stretchered off in the closing stages of a 1-0 loss to Team K-League.

Eddie Howe has since offered an update on the injury, offering some hope that it may not be serious.

Howe gives Willock update

Speaking the media after the loss, Eddie Howe has delivered a brief update on the fitness and wellbeing of Joe Willock.

Forced to be stretchered off just minutes before the end of the game, it looks to be the same foot which has plagued Willock for much of his Toon career after previous Achilles issues.

But Howe sounds cautiously optimistic that the injury isn’t as bad as it seems.

“I don’t have a major update yet but it didn’t look great on the pitch. But at this moment, it doesn’t look like a major, major injury.”

“And fingers crossed it’s not, because Joe has suffered enough. Hopefully he’s OK.”

It’s an update that suggests Willock has avoided the worst possible injury, with Howe seeming confident that it’s not a severe setback.

But still, it only adds to our woes and frustrations, with at least one midfielder already needed after Sean Longstaff’s exit.

Will Newcastle be forced to sign a midfielder now? I’d argue we now need two!