Newcastle United dealt fresh triple injury concern ahead of scheduled trip to Everton

Newcastle United top goalscorer Callum Wilson is set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his calf in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

The 29-year-old, despite attempting to play on, limped off just before half-time and was replaced by Jacob Murphy.

If Wilson’s withdrawal wasn’t worrying enough, Allan Saint-Maximin also went off injured, while it’s understood Ryan Fraser departed with a hamstring problem.

Wilson’s knock appears to be more serious than the other two as United prepare to visit Everton on Thursday evening.

What did Eddie Howe say about Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin?

“Callum’s injury doesn’t look good,” Howe admitted. “I don’t know what it is, or the extent of it.

“But looking at it, it didn’t look good. I felt my worst for him in that moment.

“He thought he’d taken a kick and that’s why he got up and tried to run it off. That wasn’t to be.

“Maxi I don’t know how bad that is. We will have to see how that one is.

“That’s the big disappointment from tonight.”

How big of a blow would their absence be?

Wilson has scored six goals of Newcastle’s 19 Premier League goals this season, whereas Saint-Maximin has scored four and assisted three.

Add that up, both players have been involved in 13 goals in total - a huge involvement overall.

Indeed, that would leave Dwight Gayle as the club’s only fit recognised senior striker.

Why is Newcastle’s trip to Everton in doubt?

Howe also confirmed his squad had been hit with positive Covid-19 cases, which adds to his growing injury list.

Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Joe Willock and Karl Darlow weren’t in the squad for the visit of Manchester United, while Paul Dummett (calf), Federico Fernandez (thigh) and Jamal Lewis (hamstring) had already been ruled out due to injury.

Isaac Hayden missed the game after serving a one-match ban. Javier Manquillo will now do the same after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against the Red Devils.

Howe could only name eight substitutes on Monday evening, which included goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman, plus young duo Elliot Anderson and Joe White.

With question marks over Wilson, Saint-Maximin and Fraser’s fitness, Howe admitted he was unsure if the fixture at Goodison Park would go ahead.

He said: “I believe it’s 13 plus a goalkeeper (to have enough players for a game). We’re going to be dangerously close to that number.”