Newcastle United handed possible boost ahead of Bournemouth as key duo return

Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier have returned to Newcastle United following England’s quarter-final exit to France at the World Cup.

The Three Lions flew home from Qatar on Sunday - less than 24 hours after suffering a 2-1 defeat to France - and Wilson and Trippier have wasted no time in reporting back for Magpies duty.

The pair were back at the club’s Benton training base on Wednesday as Eddie Howe’s side prepare for this weekend’s friendly against La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano at St James’ Park.

Whether or not Wilson and Trippier feature against Vallecano remains to be seen. United resume their campaign on Tuesday with an important last 16 tie versus Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.

Meanwhile, Nick Pope, Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes have been granted some extra time off but are likely to return before the beginning of next week.

Although Trippier and Wilson were handed game time by Gareth Southgate in Qatar, Pope did not play a single minute with Everton’s Jordan Pickford preferred.

Schar started twice for Switzerland, while Guimaraes made two substitute appearances as all of United’s World Cup players exited the competition at the last eight stage.

Asked about the club’s World Cup stars and when they will return, Howe said: “I think we’ll take it on an individual basis because it’s a difficult one to predict. Of course, we don’t know how long the players will stay involved in the World Cup so that has a bearing.

“Then, the individual player, how much football they’ve played at World Cup could potentially have a bearing.

“Speaking to all the players, I know they’re very keen to come back and join us very quickly but of course, we have to have the balance right. We don’t want to fatigue players mentally probably more than physically going into the second half of the season.

“At some stage, we will probably need to give them a break. When that is, I don’t know.”