Eddie Howe raises Callum Wilson fitness concern after Newcastle United substitution snub

Eddie Howe refused to risk Callum Wilson against Nottingham Forest due to the Newcastle United striker’s lack of training time.

The Magpies’ No.9 was named among the substitutes at the City Ground. Howe had the opportunity to bring Wilson on at half-time in place of the injured Allan Saint-Maximin but opted for Elliot Anderson instead.

Wilson told the BBC Footballer’s Football Podcast on Thursday he hadn’t trained for over a week, which Howe was mindful of. Newcastle won 2-1 after Alexander Isak’s injury time penalty.

“I didn’t want to expose Callum today, he hasn’t done a lot of training, so I decided to go with Elliot and he repaid me,” said Howe. “Hopefully, we’ll have Callum and Maxi [Allan Saint-Maximin] fit and available after the international break.

Howe added: "He [Wilson] had a small bout of illness and then just a little bit of tightness, general tightness, no injury. But with Callum, I think we have to be very careful with him and make sure he’s available for the rest of the season."

The 31-year-old faces a battle to win his place back in United’s starting XI after Isak’s brace in Nottingham Forest increased his tally to three goals in just two games.

The Sweden international holds an impressive record of six goals Premier League in just 622 minutes.

"Callum’s a top professional,” Howe said. “And he is driven more than anybody that I’ve ever worked with, so he will see Alex performing as he has done tonight and he’ll be delighted for Alex and the team.

“But it’ll only make his resolve even stronger to fight for that place."