Callum Wilson extends Newcastle United contract as he chases down Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer

Newcastle United have announced Callum Wilson has extended his contract with the club.

The striker’s deal was set to run out next summer, however now he’ll be on Tyneside until at least the summer of 2025.

Wilson has scored 40 goals in 79 league games for United, including two from four appearances this season – a record which has seen him move into fifth in the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorers chart. He sits just one goal behind Les Ferdinand and with eight more goals he will move into second place in the list, behind Alan Shearer.

Callum Wilson said: "I'm delighted to extend my time here. It's a fantastic football club, I've been welcomed ever since I came through the door and now the club's going in a fantastic direction and on a journey so it's nice to commit my future to be being a part of that.

"We've got some great things to look forward to and I think being around here, the city, fan base, is what players dream of so I can't wait to be around for the next few years.”

Many believe Wilson could be getting his first start of the season tomorrow after he clawed back a goal off the bench in Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton.

As fans know, being a ‘super-sub’ isn’t something the 31-year-old likes being associated with. And Eddie Howe was asked earlier today how the number nine copes with not starting.

“He’s been very good, very professional around the group and supportive of his teammates,” said Howe. “But underneath that I know he has been eager to play. Not just for himself but for the team to do well.

“I know he has his own individual motivations and I think you saw when he came on against Brighton that he played really well, was in a good place and scored a really good goal for us.”

Newcastle play Brentford at St James’ Park tomorrow, with the Magpies looking for their first win in three games.