Steve Bruce admits that Joe Willock’s “big future” means it could be tough for Newcastle United to hold on to the Arsenal midfielder.
Chronicle Live understands that Willock’s fine form hasn’t just alerted Mikel Arteta - with no Gunners players scoring as many as Willock this year - but also England observers have taken note.
The youngster has four England Under-21 caps to his name and is an in-form midfielder as the Three Lions look to select an expanded 26-man squad.
After Willock scored again in the 4-2 win at Leicester City on Friday night, Bruce was left delighted.
He said: “He's enjoying his football.
“We have taken the reins off him and let him run forward and that was probably what we didn't have enough of in January, that forward-running midfielder who likes to score.
“We'd love to keep him but he has got a big future.”
