Jetro Willems Questions Hectic Fixture Schedule Amid Newcastle Injury Woes

​Jetro Willems is confident that he will only miss one game through injury as he questioned the festive fixture list, while also revealing that he is keen on making his move to Newcastle permanent when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

Incredibly, Willems was one of four Magpies players to be forced off during his side's game against Leicester on New Year's Day, with Steve Bruce's side playing the last half an hour of the game with ten men. 

Unsurprisingly, the Foxes ran out 3-0 winners with the full-back blaming the Premier League's hectic festive schedule for the freak number of injuries. 

"I’ve never known anything like that," Willems told the ​Shields Gazette. “It’s difficult. You play play three games in seven days.

“It was my groin and hamstrings. Everybody feels something. I’ve played all the games. For me, it’s the first time I have had this (many games over Christmas). Normally, you have a break. But now you just keep going. The Prem is not like other leagues. It’s pretty difficult, but it’s nothing bad, bad, bad. I think I will be there for the next league game."

This result capped off a frustrating run of festive results for the Magpies, with Steve Bruce's side now just five points clear of the relegation places in 13th. Despite the ​Leicester defeat marking their third loss in as many games, Willems remains assured that Newcastle can stave off relegation this season.

"I have confidence,” the former PSV Eindhoven defender man said. “We have a lot of players where it’s the first time they play Boxing Day and everything. They need to get used to it. When we get rest we’re capable of doing everything and giving everything."

Willems, who is currently on a season-long loan deal at St. James' Park from Eintracht Frankfurt, also confirmed that he is eyeing up a permanent transfer to the club at the end of the campaign.

"I’m enjoying it,” said the Netherlands international. "Newcastle’s a big club, for me. It’s a nice club. I would like to stay here. We will see."

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