Callum Wilson on pet peeve triggered by infamous Everton moment before Newcastle United fixture

Callum Wilson has named one of his biggest pet peeves that he sees from time to time as a professional footballer as Newcastle United prepare to face Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The Magpies talisman was speaking on the BBC Sounds' Footballer's Football Podcast with West Ham United striker Michail Antonio. In last week's episode, the Hammers' man opened up about spending more time on the bench this season and how he stays ready to impact the match.

Wilson admitted he too has had to endure some times on the fringes during his career and said he would make sure he was always ready to be substituted at any second.

Wilson said: "That's key information for any young players - it's about staying ready. I see people nowadays starting to do their boots up, looking for their shin pads when it's time to go on. At any point I'm on the bench I'm ready from minute one. Pads on, laces done up, shirt on under the jumper, ready to go. Then when you are called upon you aren't flustered about looking for what you need."

The Newcastle striker said players who faff around before coming on or refuse to be ready in their kit might have "an ego thing". He also referenced a moment in recent Premier League history when an Everton player behaved in such a way.

Wilson continued: "It can be an ego thing. put all that to the side, it's about the team and when you're called upon you need to give your best to the scene. I've seen highlights before of players trying to step on the field with no sock on. How is that even possible? I think it was an Everton player. I get you might leave your shirt inside sometimes if you don't put it on straight away, but leaving your sock inside. That's baffling."

Wilson was, of course, referring to when Everton defender Djibril Sidibe was brought on for Theo Walcott on February 8, 2020. Sidibe was poised to come on, tucking his shirt in on the sideline as he finished getting ready when the fourth official pointed to his missing sock.

Completely oblivious, it took a rather bemused Carlo Ancelotti to send Sidibe down the tunnel to retrieve the wayward sock from the dressing room before the defender realised, delaying the substitution. Eventually, the Toffees star made it onto the pitch with both socks on his feet.