'Torrid' - £20m Newcastle United star reacts after being ruled out for four months
Callum Wilson is pleased to be back playing for Newcastle United following a “torrid time” with injury.
The Magpies’ No.9 made his first appearance of the 2024-25 campaign as a 68th minute substitute in Monday night’s 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham United.
Wilson had been sidelined for around four months after sustaining a back injury in pre-season. The 32-year-old has suffered a couple of setbacks along the way but is now determined to help his teammates ahead of busy festive schedule.
“It’s been a torrid time to be honest but I’m glad to be back,” Wilson told NUFCTV. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point and appreciate all the help from the staff and those who have helped me on the journey.
“I thank everybody at home for their patience as well. My season has started now so it’s time to start putting some goals in the back of the net and helping the team.”
With 88 Premier League goals to his name - 47 of which have come with Newcastle since joining from AFC Bournemouth for £20million in 2020 - the 33-year-old has set himself a target to enter the ‘100 club’.
Wilson added: “For me, it’s about building and today was an opportunity to do that. First game West Ham a team that I have scored goals throughout my career against so I was looking forward to that.
“It wasn’t meant to be but I have a personal target of goals to get into the 100 club this year and it’s something that has been long overdue to get going but I’m sure sooner or later I’ll get back on the scoresheet and start building towards that.”
And Wilson will hope another goal towards that will come when the Magpies take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
“This time of the season, games come thick and fast,” said Wilson. “You don’t get much time to train which is sometimes a positive when you have a defeat like tonight. You can quickly turn it around. Also, it works in the opposite way as well when you’re winning you have that momentum so we need to try and get some momentum again.”