Joe White is determined to put a frustrating pre-season behind him in a push for first-team football. The midfielder suffered a knee injury during the U21s win over La Liga’s Elche but has recently returned in a bid to impress Eddie Howe.
In an interview with The Chronicle, the 19-year-old revealed he is still not fully fit but has returned for the U21s. He is also a part of the first-team setup and continues to train with the senior squad.
“I’ve been up there (first-team training) every day since I came back from injury. I am still not at full fitness. That was my first full game at Barnsley but for the last two weeks I have been up there most days. That further enhances my first-team chances.
“It happened in Spain in pre-season. I picked up a niggle and didn’t manage to get to Austria because of that. In Spain I tore my lateral meniscus. I did it before the Elche game but played through it, I didn’t think it was major so I had a scan when I came back and the scan came back and showed a tear.
“It was disappointing to start the season like that and that stopped the loans going through. Which obviously I wanted to do.”
White would have been one of the youngsters Howe brought to Austria for the training camp. He missed a golden opportunity to impress in pre-season; an opportunity that fellow teenager Elliot Anderson used to his full advantage.
Anderson is now fully ensconced with the first team having made his full debut in the Carabao Cup win at Tranmere. He has three impressive EPL cameos this season as well. That is where White wants to be in the future.
Like Anderson, Joe spent the second half of last season on loan in League Two. He made 16 appearances for Hartlepool with 3 assists. That experience has stoked a fire in him for more first-team football, whether on Tyneside or another loan.
“I don’t want to be playing Under-21s football anymore. Unfortunately, I did not manage to get on loan this season so these games are important for me to see where I am at and hopefully get out on loan in January.”
“I think after last season, playing first-team football at Hartlepool, in the second half of the season I enjoy the EFL Trophy nights. That’s all I want to do now. The initial aim is to get into Eddie Howe’s first-team squad. And I have got three months to improve as much as possible and play as well as I can.
“I need to be the best player on the pitch for the Under-21s in each game. I think I need to stand out in these games which will help in January.”
White will likely head back out on loan in January. With a compact schedule until the World Cup break in November, he may get a chance to make some matchday squads over the next couple of months.
The teenager, who signed from Carlisle in 2016, signed a new contract until 2025 in March. So Newcastle have faith he can progress into a first-team regular. The young midfielder certainly doesn’t lack the determination to make it on Tyneside.
He is also thrilled to be working closely with Howe, who he cites as the primary reason he committed his future to the club. This is what he said about training with the first team:
“You have to be totally switched on. You need to be switched on if you go up there. Eddie is the best really. He is the reason I signed the contract in January.
“He spoke to me a lot and he is a massive help to everybody. Everybody I speak to down here in the Under-21s and everybody I speak to up at the first-team. Especially the guys who have been with him the longest like Matt Ritchie with Bournemouth. They sing his praises but I have nothing but kind words to say about him.”
White has suffered a few injuries that have stalled his progress over the past few years. He continues to work hard and will hopefully get a loan move in January and be ready to fight for his place next summer.
53 comments so far
The Mighty Quinn
Sep 26, 2022 at 3:36 PM
Comment #1Don’t worry everyone Schar will be playing as striker on Saturday. Job sorted.
simon376
Sep 26, 2022 at 3:49 PM
Comment #2No dont worry lets have White up front and Anderson involved, like going back to 92/93 the kids will be alright
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 26, 2022 at 3:56 PM
Comment #3The Mighty Quinn,
If Schar plays as a striker I’ll dance naked on the bar in the Shamrock and buy everyone a Guinness 😀
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 26, 2022 at 3:59 PM
Comment #4Carltoon. Putting steroids and co-corticoids in to the knee repetitively ruins it. If you want proof, I will send you the x-ray before and after my surgery. 🙂
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:01 PM
Comment #5Aah bollox, just put Isak in me FPL team before Bournemouth game!
So he has a proper injury then, didn’t ditch the needless friendlies as Sweden aren’t going to WC. I was hoping he’d took one for the Toon.
Sounds like the injury has turned out to we worse than at 1st thought, bloody downer.
Just had a look at this EPL injury thingy and we’re winning the league so far 🙁
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:02 PM
Comment #6This thingy even 😆
https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:04 PM
Comment #7Give the Stephenson lad a run out
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:04 PM
Comment #8Talking of runs
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:04 PM
Comment #9I’m off for a gallop down the page
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:04 PM
Comment #10Boom
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:05 PM
Comment #11Ave it!
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:05 PM
Comment #12Scunny Scunny Scunny
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:05 PM
Comment #13GRIMSBY
cyprus
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:05 PM
Comment #14TMQ
I always look forward to your posts these days. I do my best to read them too.
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:06 PM
Comment #15Southgate needs to stand down
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:07 PM
Comment #16Nearly double figures, probably didn’t put the requisite effort in when I think on it.
cyprus
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:09 PM
Comment #17Trying to understand the sudden Southgate hate, just before a cup. Can’t we wait till after it goes teats up.
Anyway, Kets isn’t available.
Novocastrian66
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:09 PM
Comment #18Joao Palhinha is suspended for the game at the weekend.
The Mighty Quinn
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:11 PM
Comment #19Nij, make sure you upload a video onto the blog.
NY Mag
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:13 PM
Comment #20Cyprus,
I don’t understand the southgate hate either….he’s earned the right to take the squad to Qatar.
Form isn’t good, but you never know in tournament footy 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:23 PM
Comment #21Denmark did not even qualify for the Euros they won. Players on holiday and 2 weeks notice.
The Taco Taker
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:24 PM
Comment #22Wow so that is 17 Managers in 10 years for Watford and 5 of those Managers had 10 games or less in charge – Pozzo should install and ejector seat or a trapdoor in the managers office!
Having said that 17 managers in 10 years and still avoided Bruce, must be doing something right
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:25 PM
Comment #23NY Mag,
I don’t think he was ever popular in the first place, I argue you can’t deny his achievements which no manager in nearly 60 years have bettered. But it’s not going to take much for the knives to come out for him.
NY Mag
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:33 PM
Comment #24Nij,
Let him have this WC (and get behind him and the lads) – like I said he’s earned it.
If we do poorly, then he’ll be gone…it gives us a couple of years with someone new to figure things out.
The biggest impediment to England’s success is the national expectation 🙂
The Prince's Mate
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:35 PM
Comment #25TMQ…is that your lass?
NY Mag
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:35 PM
Comment #26And BTW, the press have a lot of responsibility for that….bad, bad people
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:40 PM
Comment #27A White playing as centre forward, be great if he was owt like the original!
Got a feeling there may be a couple of the yunguns in the squad for us at Fulham.
The Taco Taker
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:42 PM
Comment #28I think the issues with Southgate are:
1. While he has done better than any other England Manager in recent times it would be fair to say that he also has the largest pool of talent to pick from compared to any previous England Manager and while we did well in the 2018 WC and Euros last year we did not win anything, which upsets some people.
2. Results since the Euro’s have largely been poor.
3. It is clear he has his favourite players who get picked regardless of form (Macguire is classic example of this) which must affect the morale of other players in those positions (Tomori must be thinking “what the hell do I have to do to get a chance” and he is not the only one)
He will in charge for the WC though so as NY Mag says better to just get behind the team. I reckon quarter finals at best to be honest though.
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:42 PM
Comment #29Re. arguments on the blog, at least we have a consensus on the world being flat so that one can be put to rest!
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:44 PM
Comment #30We do not want to see Southgate getting sacked if it brings Eddie into the frame!
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:46 PM
Comment #31I’ve thought Southgate was gash ever since he let Modric run amok in the middle of the park 4 years ago. And then that debacle last year against Italy. Now he’s getting in the excuses ahead of the WC tourney.
We’re obviously stuck with him for Qatar, but once that’s done he can stand down and move upstairs at the FA.
He’s just not a good football manager ultimately. Think what Potter or Howe could do with this attack minded squad.
jane
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:48 PM
Comment #32England qualified for the World cup in a group with Poland and Hungary undefeated. under Southgate England reached the semi finals of the World Cup and final of the Euros which is better than any other past England manager.
Toon fans bad
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:49 PM
Comment #33NY,
I agree, journalist folk bad!
The Taco Taker
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Comment #34EGB, stop spreading you flat earth fake news. The facts are there for all to see:
https://twitter.com/tacoearth?lang=en-GB
https://www.instagram.com/the_taco_earth_society/
https://twitter.com/locopeztacos/status/1179452913674051586?lang=en-GB
NY Mag
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #35Jane,
Correct….which is exactly why he will take the squad to Qatar.
But, if he fails there, then he’s gonna get peddled
jane
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #36what did the golden generation achieve?
Rooney
Lampard
Gerrard
Ferdinand
Scholes
Owen
Cole
Nevilles
Beckham
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 26, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #37NY Mag,
Aye, they’re not going to sack him anyway so we might as well get behind him and his team and hope he turns it around. Qualification for the tournaments has been impeccable, maybe the players just aren’t up for a competition that a vast majority of football fans don’t even know the rules.
NY Mag
Sep 26, 2022 at 5:04 PM
Comment #38TFB,
Journalists have a lot to answer for 🙂
Kinda interesting side note (and this is not a slur on the man)
I watched Steve wraith show with gibbo last week, gibbo stated that Fraser didn’t make a cross or shot all game.
I re-watched the match….Fraser put in three crosses and had one shot on goal in the first half.
Opinions, we all have them….some are right, some are wrong….it’s just that journalists opinions can and do influence other people.
They have a moral responsibility….they should take it seriously
jane
Sep 26, 2022 at 5:04 PM
Comment #39i don’t think Southgate is a great manager he got lucky with his tactics, results, draws opening up and made mistakes at the end of tournements but fair play to him for what he’s achievement by however means. i think he’s lost is way lately though bringing in players that shouldn’t be included and become very wokey.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 26, 2022 at 5:06 PM
Comment #40I say rules, format is probably a better word.