Callum Wilson sets Newcastle United injury return target in new update

Newcastle United marksman Callum Wilson has teased his return from injury via a threat to North East rivals Sunderland that he 'will score' when the sides meet in the FA Cup next month.

The Magpies striker is currently out of action with a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund in early November. Wilson won't feature in tonight's meeting with Everton as he continues to recover with a rumoured return marked for the Boxing Day fixture against Nottingham Forest at St James' Park.

There remains a certain mystery over Wilson's recovery progress but, as he spoke on BBC Sounds' Footballer's Football Podcast, it is clear that the star is expecting to be fit again by the Tyne and Wear derby at the very latest. Newcastle United will make the short trip to the Stadium of Light on January 6 and the forward shared every intention of playing in the fixture.

He said: "It is exciting. You're just thinking, it means so much to the Magpies to beat Sunderland, I'd love to be involved in that game.

"As a striker, you do have a final say and opportunity. Just to experience the atmosphere, the tension and to score a goal, the roar will be different. You can just know that. It would have been better if it was at St James' Park of course, but I think even being down there and getting to experience us having less fans and the hostility from them, it just gives you goosebumps.

"We'll turn up, we'll give them a good game I'm sure and they'll be licking their lips to give us an upset. I'm not going to give any ammo for them to start using but what I'm saying is I'm looking forward to it."

While Wilson refused to big up the first derby meeting since 2016, it didn't take long for podcast co-hosts Rickie Haywood-Williams and Michail Antonio to get some fighting talk from Wilson. When Rickie predicted a goal and red card for the fired-up Magpies man, Wilson replied: "I have controlled aggression. On the pitch, when I step over the white line it's a game face and no-nonsense behaviour. I will not get sent off... touch wood. But I will score, no doubt. Those occasions you get so excited for them and it's a big game. I'm looking forward to it."

Later on in the episode, Wilson spoke more explicitly about his return to injury, sharing that progress was 'going good' and he felt 'fit and strong'. He added: "We're moving outside and we're getting closer. I'll soon be dipping back into training but it's on the physio's say-so."