Keith Downie has now dropped a big claim on Newcastle United central midfield player Joe Willock.

The Lowdown: Good signs

There were some good signs in the 1-0 loss away at Everton in the Premier League on Thursday night that Willock is getting back to the kind of form that he showed at St. James' Park while on loan from Arsenal last season.

The Englishman won three tackles, with none of his teammates managing more, while he also won seven of his duels, had two shots on target, and made one key pass (SofaScore) in an all-action display, despite the poor result.

The Latest: Downie on Willock

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports journalist and North East reporter Downie has claimed that Willock has now 'got his mojo back', after looking 'a little bit lost' earlier on in the campaign:

“Just even speaking to Joe Willock, I could just sense that he’s got his mojo back, whereas he was looking like he was a little bit lost earlier in the season.

"It feels like he’s back to what Newcastle thought he was when they signed him.”

The Verdict: Down to confidence

Willock's rise in form is all down to being more confident on the pitch.

Even though the Tyneside outfit have lost their last two matches now in the top flight, they were on a nine-game unbeaten run in the division before them, with Willock scoring two goals in that period (Transfermarkt).

Before then, he had eight strikes that he managed on loan last season.

Nonetheless, with the Magpies easing away from the relegation zone, it is clear that the 22-year-old is having more freedom on the pitch, complemented by Eddie Howe keeping faith in him.

In other news, find out who NUFC's three worst performers were against the Toffees here!