Newcastle United defender Jetro Willems has labelled reports he will be out until 2021 as ‘simply wrong’ and revealed when he should make his return.
Willems is currently on loan at St James Park from Eintracht Frankfurt after arriving in the summer transfer window.
He had enjoyed a starring role under new manager Steve Bruce for much of the campaign before a cruciate ligament injury suffered at the end of January brought an end to his season.
Some reports had indicated he was facing over a year out of action, but he insists that isn’t the case and he’s already working hard to make his return in August this year.
“I feel really good. The knee feels better and better, I’m on the right track, looking ahead. All is well,” he told Eintracht’s official website.
“Everything is going according to plan, (I’ll return) in August. Reports that it would take longer or even until 2021 are simply wrong.
“In general, we should deal with completely different questions when the time comes.
“Because I hope to be able to play in front of fans again, but I also know that it will be difficult to present in the foreseeable future.
“But if that is over at some point, I will enjoy the games even more. This also applies to life, which until recently, we took for granted.”
When Willems does return, he will be keen to discover where his future lies after seeing his time at Newcastle brought to a premature end.
At the moment it appears that the Magpies will not be attempting to turn his loan deal into a permanent one, despite the prominent role he enjoyed before his injury.
If that is the case, the Dutchman insists he will remember his time at Newcastle and starring in the Premier League fondly.
“It was the expected great experience to compete with and against many big players in a big league,” he added.
“I had a good time in Newcastle up until my injury and faced the toughest opponents like reigning Champions League winner Liverpool. I became a footballer for these games.
“Before, I only knew such teams from television. Everyone talks about it; it is exciting in almost every game.
“The fans are only a meter away from the field; everyone is close together; I had never known that before.
“It was insane to meet Liverpool and Manchester City later – against the two best English clubs of all things. And then as a full-back!”
