'No one's fault' - Newcastle United star reacts to being ruled out for five games

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has set his sights on staying fit between now and end of the season following his return after five games out.

The Magpies' No.9 made his first appearance in 2024 after coming on as a half-time substitute in place of the injured Anthony Gordon during Saturday's 4-4 draw against Luton Town at St James' Park.

Wilson, like many of his teammates, has had his fair share on injury problems this campaign as a result on the busy fixture schedule. The volume of matches will ease in the coming months and the 31-year-old is hoping that allows him to remain injury free.

“I feel good," said Wilson. "I was out with a hamstring injury and came back into a storm of games and picked up a calf injury. You end up playing four to five 90 minutes in under two weeks. It is no one’s fault, It was the circumstances I believe.

“If asked again would I put myself forward to play every game? Sometimes that may be to the detriment of myself. I would not change anything.

“We have week to week now. Not Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday and that kind of relentless run of games. All I can do is get some good training under our belts and look forward to [Nottingham] Forest and getting a win there."

Wilson is in line to lead the attack when United visit Nottingham Forest this Saturday (kick-off 5:30pm). Alexander Isak has another groin issue while Gordon is a doubt after leaving St James' Park at the weekend on crutches and wearing a protective boot.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe shared his frustration at the current injury situation by saying "it feels like we get one player back and then we lose another one". Wilson too shares a similar feeling with him and Isak rarely being fit at the same time this term.

“I was out for a while and worked hard in rehab to a good level," said Wilson. "The way it worked out Alex was injured again and I am coming back and we haven’t crossed paths all season, which is frustrating because it is nice to have that competition to push each other and also that rotation.

“We have been yo-yoing all season in different positions. It is frustrating for us and everyone no more so than the manager. You want a fit squad and we have a really good team and options but not this season.”