Newcastle United will remain without Callum Wilson until after the October international break. Wilson is yet to feature for the Magpies this campaign after sustaining a back injury during the pre-season training camp at Adidas’ Herzogenaurach HQ mid-July. Initially, it was hoped Wilson would return “a couple of games” into the new season, however, the 32-year-old is now facing just over three months on the sidelines.
Eddie Howe provided his latest update on Wilson ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham where Anthony Gordon is set to lead the line with Alexander Isak at risk of missing the game because of a toe injury.
“Any injury to the hamstring is potentially complex,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “There’s no re-injury, it’s just a case of re-adjusting the timescale really depending on how he felt. “We’ve had to listen to his body when he’s delivered the work. He’s been re-scanned and it’s maybe not healed as quickly as we hoped. A slight adjustment but hopefully we’ll have him back fully fit and firing for the next group of games which will be really important.
“We have missed him. I think we’ve really missed his energy and what he brings to the squad and we’ve missed the competition that he brings.”
Howe clarified the injury, saying, “He’s working his way back and he’s looking good at the moment. The back [injury] is there but it was sort of connected [to his hamstring].”
The former AFC Bournemouth player has made just six appearances in 2024, amounting in 267 minutes out of a potential 3240.
Asked how Wilson is doing mentally, Howe said: “He’s been fine. There is always an initial disappointment since it was relatively simple into pre-season when he picked up the ailment. He was in a great place and eagerly anticipating the season.
“There are a lot of questions that go through a player’s mind when they find out they won’t be playing in the early going of the season. Once they get past that initial setback, all they have to do is look at the return date and strive to get back as soon as possible. Calum is doing that, but I believe the medical staff is sensibly managing him and making sure he returns at the appropriate time.”
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