Not the most cultured central defender in the Premiership, one current Newcastle player told us "Mike is best when he just hoofs the ball - we don't like him to dwell on the ball for too long - but what he does - he does well."
Alan Pardew says Williamson – back from a one-match ban – is the only Toon player capable of marking man mountain Marouane Fellaini.
Williamson will slot back into United’s back four alongside Fabricio Coloccini, with Newcastle desperate to plug the defensive gaps which resulted in them conceding 11 goals over the holiday period in defeats at Manchester United and Arsenal.
Alan Pardew: “Willo’s a natural centre-half and it gives us a natural balance.
“We have lost Danny so we have to make a decision at right-back.
“Just having Willo back will be important.
“Fellaini offers an aerial threat probably only Williamson can deal with. He will be important.
“I just have to choose what the best pair is and stick with it.
“It is very important to have continuity in the back four.
“I have not really had any options there this year.
“There has been no Ryan Taylor or no Steven Taylor.
“We have not even been able to give Coloccini a rest in the odd game.
“We just have not had that luxury.
“We have been going from week to week with the same back four and they are going to get tired.
“They worked so hard at Manchester United and they were spent.
“We couldn’t even get tight on anyone in that last 20 minutes.
“I really did feel sorry for us. We just have to wear that result, it is history.”