Newcastle United key man ruled out of nine matches after fresh injury claim

Wilson is yet to feature for the Magpies this campaign after sustaining a back injury during the pre-season training camp at Adidas’ Herzogenaurach HQ mid-July.

Initially, it was hoped Wilson would return “a couple of games” into the new season, however, the 32-year-old is now facing just over three months on the sidelines.

Eddie Howe provided his latest update on Wilson ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham where Anthony Gordon is set to lead the line with Alexander Isak at risk of missing the game because of a toe injury.

“Any injury to the hamstring is potentially complex,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “There’s no re-injury, it’s just a case of re-adjusting the timescale really depending on how he felt.

“We’ve had to listen to his body when he’s delivered the work. He’s been re-scanned and it’s maybe not healed as quickly as we hoped. A slight adjustment but hopefully we’ll have him back fully fit and firing for the next group of games which will be really important.

“We have missed him. I think we’ve really missed his energy and what he brings to the squad and we’ve missed the competition that he brings.” 

Clarifying the injury, Howe added: “The back [injury] is there but it was sort of connected [to his hamstring]. He’s working his way back and he’s looking good at the moment.”

The former AFC Bournemouth man has made just six appearances in 2024, totalling in 267 minutes out of a possible 3240.

Asked how Wilson is doing mentally, Howe said: “He’s been fine. There is always an initial disappointment because it was very easy into pre-season when he picked up the injury. He was really looking forward to the season and in a great place.

“When you know you’re going to miss the early part of the season there is that ‘I’m not going to play early on, how is the season going to unfold for me from that point?’ There are a lot of doubts that go into the player’s head but then after you over that initial disappointment you just see the return date and you fight then to get back as quickly as possible.

“Callum is doing that but I think sensibly the medical team are managing him and making sure he comes back at the right time.”