'I'll see' - Newcastle United star provides teasing injury update ahead of Aston Villa clash

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has provided an update on his recovery from a calf injury.

The Magpies' No.9 has missed back-to-back matches against Liverpool and Sunderland after sustaining the issue during the Boxing Day defeat to Nottingham Forest.

United boss Eddie Howe hopes to have the 31-year-old back for the visit to Aston Villa on Tuesday, January 30, or possibly Fulham in the FA Cup three days earlier. Wilson, however, remained coy when asked about a potential return date.

Wilson, speaking on the BBC Footballer's Football Podcast, teased: "How long is a piece of string? It could be a few weeks before I decide I'm fit again or it could be a little longer. I'll see what results are happening on the pitch!

“I came back in good shape and I also push things as much as I can push them to make myself available to the team and it’s been coming to the detriment of myself. The last two injuries I have had I have got injured again just after in quick succession because I probably need more time.

"You see the team struggling or Alex get injured and you think 'you know what, I'm just going to declare myself fit next week'. You get your fitness within matches, which isn't ideal. If circumstances were different and we're winning and Alex is fit and firing, I don't need to push myself.

"But I will always push regardless. You've just got to make sure you do it in the safest possible way but we do have a European Championship at the end of the season that I want to be a part of. If I do, I need to get the little things right now to get back."

Newcastle's season has been decimated by injuries and took its toll in December with Howe's side exiting both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, as well as slipping to ninth in the Premier League.

But Wilson has warned the Magpies' rivals to expect a "new-look Newcastle" in the coming weeks as players return from the treatment room.

The former AFC Bournemouth man said: "We've got players who are coming back. We've got some good confidence and training under our belt. You're probably going to see a new-look Newcastle over the next three or four weeks in terms of freshness and having players back.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there. Don't get me wrong, it's been stop-start. But it's football, you've got to take it on the chin and move forward."