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Callum Wilson is injured - again - but fear not, because now should be time for Newcastle United to unleash their £15million recruit.
William Osula was not signed over the summer to showcase new clobber on the club website. When one door closes, another opens - and the festive period could be his time to shine.
As evening turned to night, Callum Wilson picked up his latest injury setback. Newcastle United supporters were not surprised - for they had seen this story a million times before.
The 32-year-old’s body is failing him - and this was reflected by the Toon response on social media. Instead of the usual outrage and spleen, there was genuine sympathy - irrespective of the continuing damage done to Newcastle’s season - for a professional whose career lies in the balance.
But make no mistake, Wilson’s woes are killing the Magpies. Eddie Howe took a gamble on his trusted lieutenant in the summer, keeping him in the ranks despite transfer interest.
The Toon boss highlighted how much it would cost to replace Wilson with a striker of his quality. That gamble has backfired, with the England international suffering his 15th injury in four years on Tyneside.
For context, Wilson has missed 40.72 per cent of Newcastle’s Premier League games since arriving from Bournemouth - a figure that will now rise. Those stats will undoubtedly be debated over when a decision is made on his contract renewal next summer.
So what happens now? Alexander Isak would provide the panacea to Newcastle’s problems if he could stay fit.
However, the Swede also struggles to keep away from the treatment table. Isak has battled a broken toe and a hip injury in 2024-25 and will be relied upon heavily over the festive period.
Without the 25-year-old, Howe has turned to Anthony Gordon as a makeshift striker. Few on Tyneside have been sold by the idea when put into practice. This is not the under-21s Euros.
Life is all about seizing the window of opportunity - so what a chance Wilson’s blow could create for Osula. Signed for £15million in the summer, chances have been limited for the youngster.
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Howe famously integrates players into the fold, allowing them to acclimatise to his rigorous regime and fresh environment. See Lewis Hall last season as the case in point.
Osula has settled for cameo and cup appearances so he must be chomping at the bit to prove his Premier League calibre. A tall, gangly striker with quick feet and pace to burn, he is of a similar profile - albeit not as developed - as Isak. That must have been the template as to why Newcastle bought him.
Give him a chance over the Christmas period if Isak needs a rest. What would be the alternative? Gordon at No.9 has seldom produced the goods. Give young Osula a chance and the Magpies might just save themselves a few quid on a striker to banish those Wilson demons for good.
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