Newcastle United reveal Callum Wilson illness bombshell after Wolves win

Eddie Howe has revealed Callum Wilson almost missed Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers through illness.

The 31-year-old’s starting spot had been up for debate prior to the game following a run of just one goal in 14 matches.

Alexander Isak, who opened the scoring against Wolves, ultimately got the nod but it is likely Howe would have kept faith with Wilson had he been fully fit.

“Callum’s had a difficult week,” the Magpies’ head coach explained. “He hasn’t trained all week, so Callum did really well to put himself on the pitch today and I was delighted with him.

Asked about Wilson again, Howe added: “A little bit of illness with Callum, nothing serious, but it was a difficult week for him, as I said.

“He missed training from very early in the week. He did very, very well to make himself available today and it’s not lost on me because he was a key sub.

“He wasn’t 100 per cent to take the pitch, but he did that for the cause.”

Wilson was introduced in the 68th minute at St James’ Park and witnessed as Wolves equalised through Hee-Chan Hwang before fellow substitute Miguel Almiron netted a winner for United.

“We were desperate to win today,” Howe said. “I don’t think it really mattered how we did it, we just needed to win. I was very pleased with the performance – I think the first half was right up there with our very best performances of the season.

“The only disappointing thing was that it was only 1-0 when I thought the game should have been out of sight. That’s where the players deserve huge credit after Wolves came back into it in the second half. It was a key moment in our season, and the lads responded brilliantly.”