Joe Willock's future at Newcastle United remains uncertain as the club weigh up a new contract offer for the in-form midfielder.
Willock's displays this season have been one of the success stories for the Magpies. Having looked certain to be leaving Tyneside in the summer, the 27-year-old has emerged as a key player under Matthias Jaissle.
The German head coach has used Willock as both a No 10 and slightly deeper in his midfield, and the former Arsenal man has responded to being given a new lease of life by bagging three goals already this term, including the opener against Hull City in Newcastle's last match.
Contract situation and January pre-contract option
Willock is out of contract in the summer, having signed a six-year deal in 2021 after a successful loan period. So far, he has yet to commit his future to Newcastle amid interest from other clubs.
Besiktas were among the sides interested in signing Willock in the summer, and as things stand he is able to sign a pre-contract with a team abroad in January. However, United are keen to keep him at the club and are weighing up terms on a contract extension offer.
Alan Smith's verdict on Willock's form
Former Arsenal striker and Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith believes the Magpies would be daft not to offer the player a new deal, and says he is reaping the rewards of being trusted by Jaissle after being in and out of the team under Eddie Howe.
"Willock is playing really well," Smith said. "Under Eddie Howe, he was in and out. He was never a starter. And now I think he's reaping the benefits of playing more football."
"He's got himself three goals, lots of energy, and makes good runs into the box. So it would be a surprise, I think, if they didn't sign him on again, because he's showing really good form."
Midfield balance and upcoming fixture
Willock will surely keep his place when the Premier League resumes after the international break, with Newcastle travelling to Coventry City on Monday, October 12. He was used in a deeper role against Hull, in the absence of the unavailable Nico Gonzalez and Lewis Miley, who played right-back after injuries to Tino Livramento and Amar Dedic.
It left United looking slightly weak in the centre of the park, with Willock paired with 18-year-old Sean Steur, but the duo were excellent for the first hour before Newcastle started to run out of steam.
Both Willock and Steur will face increased competition for their places against Coventry with Gonzalez set to return, and Miley hoping to be free for a midfield role with Dedic expected to have recovered from injury.
Smith believes Jaissle is still trying to figure out the best balance of his side in the midfield, with the Newcastle coach often opting for an aggressive, attacking line up with two midfielders and an attacking No 10 like Yoane Wissa.
"I looked at the midfield the other day, and it was just Steur as a defensive midfielder, and they've got Wissa and Willock ahead," Smith told BestBettingSites. "He's only 18 himself. So that wasn't a balanced midfield, because ahead of him they were all attackers."
"Nico Gonzalez, I think he'll stiffen things up in midfield. He came off with a concussion at Leeds the other day, but he seems to have settled well at Newcastle. I think Jaissle is just trying to find the balance, and he's got lots of attacking players who are looking in good form."
