‘Angry’ - Newcastle United star reveals how he’s feeling about his current situation

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson is set to make just his fourth start of the 2023-24 Premier League season at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday night (kick-off 5:30pm).

Both Wilson and Alexander Isak have battled it out for the striker spot in 2023. And this campaign, there isn’t much separating the two with Wilson netting five times in three starts, while Isak has scored seven in 10.

Choosing between the pair has forever become a tough decision for head coach Eddie Howe. However, there is no debate to be had over who leads the line at Molineux this weekend with Wilson the club’s only fit recognised centre forward.

Isak withdrew and was replaced by Wilson just 14 minutes into Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night because of a recurring groin issue.

It is feared the Swede will miss the next five matches but Wilson, who recently missed three games with a hamstring tweak, is ready to grasp his opportunity as he prepares to start back-to-back league games for the first time this term. Though he admits the situation surrounding his gametime has made him “angry”

“I’ve probably not started as many matches as I’d like and that’s solely down to the competition, the manager’s team selection and things that are out of your control,” the Newcastle No.9 told the matchday programme.

“All you can do is make sure you’re ready for the opportunity when it arises. I had an experience of it last season and initially, it was hard to take. Going away and looking at yourself in the mirror, you’re at a crossroads and can go one of two ways.

“You can self sabotage yourself, feel sorry for yourself and let it have a negative effect on you, or you can go the other way and make it elevate your performances, having a positive impact on the team and using that competition as fuel and internal motivation.

“The manager will be the first one to probably tell you that I’m happy around the place but he does know that I’m angry with the situation - as anybody would be, because everyone wants to start - and he also knows that’s what gets the best out of me.

“There’ll be times where I’m fit and Alex won’t be and vice-versa. We’ve got to keep pushing each other, which benefits the squad. Having that extra additional pressure and needing to go and score goals is what’s been making us play well.

“It gives the manager a constant headache but that’s what comes with having great players in one position. The key is to have that all over the field.”