Decoding the cryptic Jetro Willems message that got Newcastle United fans excited

Jetro Willems this week got some Newcastle United fans excited when he tweeted the acronym “OMW”.

Was it a coded signal that he was heading back to St James’s Park?

Willems, certainly, is on his way – but not to Tyneside. The defender – whose loan at United last season was cut short by a season-ending injury – is on his way back to training after coming through a painstaking rehabilitation programme following surgery early this year.

Willems is set to return to training at Eintracht Frankfurt. The 26-year-old has a year left on his contract at the Bundesliga club – and his return to fitness is timely.

Newcastle, the Gazette understands, did enquire about Willems in the summer, but they were told he wasn’t expected back in training until late this month. The club, needing a left-back before the start of the new Premier League season, instead went for 22-year-old Jamal Lewis, who joined from Noriwch City this month in a £15million deal.

Willems, however, is interesting a number of other clubs ahead of the October 5 transfer deadline, having impressed playing for Newcastle before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament playing against Chelsea in January.

There’s understood to be interest from clubs in England, Italy and France, though Willems – who posted a message to Newcastle fans last month after picking up the club’s Goal of the Season award for his stunning strike against Liverpool – is keen to return to the Premier League.

But first things first. Willems must prove his fitness, and every United fan will wish him the best as he returns to training.

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