'We'll see' - Newcastle United will decide if £20m star can play v Bournemouth today amid fresh concern

Newcastle United will make a late decision on whether Callum Wilson will feature against his former club Bournemouth on Saturday night (kick-off 5:30pm)

The 31-year-old started the Magpies' 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday evening but was brought off at half-time because of hamstring tightness.

Wilson was then named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia but his involvement is subject to a fitness decision, that will be made today.

"We're doing various tests," Howe said. "He's been called up for England so we're waiting to see if he'll be fit for this game and then make a decision after.

“Gareth [Southgate], England and ourselves will be in constant communication, as we are with all our international players to make sure their welfare is thought about at all times.”

When asked when a decision will be made, Howe replied: "We’ll see how he arrives this morning [Friday]". 

Howe says he has no fresh injury problems ahead of the long trip to the South Coast but remains without 10 senior players.

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are suspended, while Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo remain sidelined.

"Injuries and suspensions combined but the big thing is I'll back the players and our squad but the biggest challenge is in game running. My options are restricted."

Howe added: "I don't want to build it up to be any more than it is. I want to focus on the game and the players we have fit. I still believe we're good enough when at our best level.

"I think that's the one thing to take from Dortmund, if we had played to our maximum levels we could have won that game but we didn't and we have to take control of that ourselves and not look for any external reasons as to why we didn't."