Newcastle United handed major boost as Callum Wilson steps up recovery

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has moved closer to a return to full fitness after stepping up his recovery from the Achilles and calf injuries he suffered in December.

The former Bournemouth striker limped out of the 1-1 home draw against Manchester United and scans confirmed the severity of the damage caused with the initial lay-off timed at around eight to twelve weeks.

Wilson spoke about his recovery on the BBC’s Footballers Football Podcast last week but stopped short of placing a timeframe on a possible return to Premier League action.

He said: “(I am) getting there slowly, making good progress.

“(I) should be out on the pitches very soon, which will be good and that way, you know you are very close to a return.

“(I) can’t really give a firm update as to when I’ll be back because I still don’t know.”

The 30-year-old has travelled to Dubai with the rest of the Magpies squad as they undertake their second warm weather training camp of the season and has been pictured working with coaching staff at the Nad Al Shaba Sports Complex.

Reports in the Telegraph have suggested the United star is targeting the home game with Crystal Palace on 20th April and the visit to Norwich City three days later as possible return dates.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe urged caution over Wilson’s comeback as he assessed the recovery of the striker and injured team-mate Kieran Trippier.

Speaking in Dubai, he told NUFC TV: “Callum’s injury, you have to be very careful with — that we don’t push him back too quickly and he ends up injuring himself again, because the Achilles/calf is a very delicate area of the body and you need to make sure it’s robust enough to withstand heavy load.

“Kieran’s is slightly different. (It’s) a bone injury and I think, touch wood, if he can come through the early stages of coming out in his boots and then progressing quite quickly, he’s one we could see back in action hopefully pretty soon.

“But with both injuries, I do think we have to be very cautious. We don't want to re-injure the player.”