Newcastle United handed 'rare' £83m boost after 'huge' player ruled out for 10 weeks

On a disappointing night for Newcastle United away to Crystal Palace, there was, at least, one positive to take.

The Magpies welcomed back Callum Wilson into the matchday squad for the first time in over two months after recovering from the chest injury he sustained at Nottingham Forest on February 10.

Wilson got 35 minutes under his belt at Selhurst Park as United succumbed to two Jean-Philippe Mateta second-half goals.

“It's huge,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe when asked about the No.9’s return. “He's a big player for us and to have that option from the bench is a rare luxury to have a striker to come on and make a difference and I thought he did.

“For our performance I thought he did well, he looked fresh, he looked strong and has come through the game without any problems.”

The ‘rare luxury’ Howe refers to involves Wilson and Alexander Isak. You have to go back to Boxing Day, when United lost 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest, for the last time the two strikers appeared in the same matchday squad.

Wilson’s absence means the burden has fallen on Isak’s shoulders. The Swede too has been managing a groin issue but, in the main, has remained fit to become the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer to score more than 20 goals in a top-flight season.

“I think there would have been, of course, a big element of frustration for him [Wilson] because he just wants to showcase his talents and what he can do for the team, but I know there's a lot of respect between the two players and I know Callum would have been pleased with how Alex has performed for the team and helped the team when he's not been available,” Howe said.

“But Callum will back himself, I've got no doubt about that. He will think that when he comes back, he can add a different dimension. He can play with Alex as well, I've always said that, and the two of them together make us a lot stronger when they're both fit, so we're delighted to have Callum back and already in training, he showed what we've been missing since he's been injured.”