Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United injury U-turn as key man ruled out vs Chelsea & Arsenal

The nine-capped England international hasn’t featured for Newcastle since the final day of the 2023-24 campaign - the 4-2 win at Brentford in May - after sustaining a back and hamstring issue during the second week of pre-season.

He returned to training ahead of last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion but wasn’t named in the matchday squad with the decision taken not to risk him.

Eddie Howe said after the game Wilson was “close” to returning, raising hope he would be involved for the trip to Chelsea on Sunday. However, the 32-year-old will miss another week, ruling him out of both Chelsea games and the visit of Arsenal.

“We’re going to lose Callum for the next three games definitely,” said United’s head coach. “He’s just had some tightness in his body and just felt like he can’t kick on to that last part needed.

“He had trained with us and had looked really good but with Callum we are, and he is, hypersensitive to any reaction to the work. He’s got no injury as such, he just isn’t ready to play.”

United head to Stamford Bridge having not scored a goal in open play in almost seven hours of football. Howe’s are without a win in their last four league games.

Alexander Isak will lead the line having only just returned from three games out with a toe injury.

“He’s another player who has done a lot of work this week to get his fitness levels up to 100%,” said Howe. “I left him on the pitch because he’s one of the most likely players to score, even if he was tired towards the end.

“He’s trained well this week, I think he knows the burden of being the No.9, at Newcastle you do carry an extra weight with that and he’s done that brilliantly since he's been here.

“We need to support him and give him chances, it was great to see him have seven shots last week and I’ll back him to score a lot of goals for us.”