Last night brought more bad news for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe, as it emerged that Callum Wilson has suffered yet another injury setback.
[The Mail’s](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14183263/Newcastle-Callum-Wilson-hamstring-injury.html) Craig Hope revealed that the striker has suffered a hamstring strain that will keep him out until mid-February in a huge blow for the player and Howe’s squad ahead of a busy run of fixtures – but there’s more.
Wilson’s injury has ended any hope of Newcastle receiving a fee for the 32-year-old in January, which would’ve been our last chance to recoup some money as he approaches the final six months of his deal.
Speaking on the NUFC Matters podcast earlier this week, transfer journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that West Ham – set to be without Michael Antonio for a length period following a car crash – and Leicester City had ‘discussed’ January moves for Wilson, but they will no longer be pursuing a cut-price deal for a player ruled out for at least two months.
So, not only is Wilson’s injury likely to be the final blow to his hopes of landing a new deal on Tyneside and a badly timed setback for our squad during a busy period, it will deny Newcastle to land a fee for the former Bournemouth forward before he leaves on a free next summer.
Back to Hope’s piece for The Mail, he adds that Newcastle are likely to prioritise the signing of a right-winger in January, but any injury to Alexander Isak or Anthony Gordon – who can play as a false nine – would force us to pivot and target a striker instead due to the lack of cover up top.
Five different injuries last season saw him miss 28 games in all competitions and his injury woes haven’t got any better since.
After a four-month absence over the summer and zero pre-season – which saw him miss the first 15 games of 2024/25 – he’s managed just 57 minutes of cameo appearances over the last fortnight before suffering this latest setback, which was felt during his brief appearance at Brentford last Saturday. It’s so frustrating for us fans, but Wilson himself must be fed up.
Speaking about his injury issues before his latest setback, Wilson admitted to the mental, emotional and physical impacts that “not everybody sees.”
“Nobody in the whole football pyramid wants to be injured and it does take its toll, mentally and emotionally, as well as physically which not everybody sees, but it’s part of the game.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had my fair share but if you fail ten times, you get back up 11 times. That’s how I’ve built my career and managed to achieve things I should never have had the right to do. And I know when I’m fit, I will score goals.
“Football is fickle at times; true people – like the manager – remember but some people forget what happened a few weeks ago, let alone previous seasons, and the only way you can remind people of who you are, what you are and what you stand for is by performing on the pitch.
“I’m raring to go, hungrier than ever and I love playing here. I have so much to give still at this club and for those who remember what I’ve done so far, I’m back now to create new memories.”