Newcastle United have two huge games on the horizon.
While it would be natural to focus on Sunday’s trip to Wembley in the Carabao Cup final of course, Newcastle United first need to beat West Ham in the Premier League on Monday night.
Eddie Howe’s side have now slipped to eighth in the Premier League table and failure to beat the Hammers would prove a further setback in their attempts to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Indeed, what happens at the London Stadium on Monday night could inform the events of Sunday’s final. A positive performance and a victory would raise confidence, while another laboured display would darken the mood even further after a bruising week.
It will also be fascinating to see what Howe does with Alexander Isak. After coming off against Brighton last week, much has been made about Isak’s fitness – particularly with Wembley to come.
Isak has been pictured in training, suggesting he might be fit for the game. However, given the number of knocks he’s suffered during his Newcastle career, rushing him back into action may be unwise with such a huge game on the horizon.
With that in mind, Callum Wilson could perhaps step-up.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Callum Wilson could make Newcastle United’s contract decision for them
Wilson is out of contract this summer and a decision is yet to be made on his future.
Relying on the 33-year-old for any great deal of time may be unwise given his injury record but for a one-off game, Newcastle’s clash against West Ham looks perfect.
The striker boasts an excellent record against the Hammers. In 15 appearances against the east London club, the former Bournemouth star has scored 12 goals.
A strong showing on Monday night could indeed prove Wilson is still up to the challenge of acting as cover and competition for Isak, even if perhaps another player is needed considering both strikers have their issues with injury.
Wilson wants to stay in England for his next move, no matter what happens at Newcastle. Help ease the burden on Isak at a difficult time for the team as a whole and perhaps staying at St James’ Park looks realistic.
🗣"It's West Ham you know, I like playing against them, it is a nice team to play against, having scored so many!"
Callum Wilson giving a little dig to West Ham United pic.twitter.com/n05ojyndpk
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 7, 2020
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Callum Wilson’s record vs West Ham cannot be ignored
Wilson has been a prolific Premier League striker for years now but such success against West Ham is particularly noteworthy.
West Ham are one of the clubs interested in Wilson, albeit it remains to be seen if Howe looks to keep the player on Tyneside.
Games Goals Wins Draws Losses
15 12 6 5 4
Callum Wilson’s record vs West Ham, stats via Transfermarkt
Should Isak miss the game, it would be hard to put a positive spin on it. Newcastle need to win, no matter how close the trip to Wembley is on the horizon.
Still, if the Swede misses out or Howe takes the no doubt difficult decision to rest him, Wilson couldn’t have a better chance – at least on paper – to prove himself an able deputy.