‘I believe’ – Newcastle United injury claim as striker ruled out for three months
Newcastle United’s No.9 is set to return after the international break after three months out with a back and hamstring issue. He is yet to feature this campaign and has made just six appearances in 2024.
Wilson has scored 48 goals in 108 outings for the Magpies since arriving from AFC Bournemouth for £20million four years ago, putting him second in the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorer list.
It isn’t his ability that is in question, but whether or he can handle the rigours of the top-flight is. And Howe believes he can.
“Yes, I do,” said Howe. “I believe in our medical team and in our sport science team and how we work. I believe we can keep him fit but in the best will in the world, you can never predict, but I believe we can get him fit, keep him fit and he will be effective in the Premier League for us
“Hopefully for some period of time to come. But there is no guarantee on that, I can’t make promises that we have no control of, but I see no reason why we can’t. He has everything he needs here and there is the same desire from the player, when you have that desire from the player, he will continue to score goals for us.”
“If you know Callum personally you’ll know how highly motivated he is,” Howe added. “It was one of the most impressive things when I first met him. It seems a long time ago but I saw a really driven individual with really high expectations of himself. This was when we first came
together in the Championship, since then his career has gone from strength to strength.
“He’s not someone to ever settle or ever think middle ground. He’s got an elite brain and wants to be his best everyday. He wants to play, score goals, that’s what he lives for. All those motivations are still running through him really strongly.”
