Newcastle United may be without Callum Wilson for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury, a new report has revealed.
The 31-year-old withdrew from England’s squad for the upcoming internationals against Malta and North Macedonia having missed the 2-0 defeat to former club Bournemouth on Saturday.
Wilson has been in good form for Newcastle, picking up where he left off last season, and has filled the void left by strike partner Alexander Isak, who has been dealing with a groin problem of his own.
Telegraph Sport report that Wilson may be sidelined for as long as six weeks, ruling him out of Newcastle’s remaining two Champions League fixtures and a number of other key Premier League games.
Isak may return to action for Newcastle immediately after the November internationals finish – the Swede’s presence would be a huge boost to manager Eddie Howe, who has seen his squad decimated by injuries over the past few weeks.
Jacob Murphy picked up a shoulder problem in the recent 1-0 win over Arsenal, with Harvey Barnes already sidelined with the toe injury he picked up in the 8-0 drubbing of Sheffield United in September. Elliot Anderson and Dan Burn have back issues and are not expected to return until the new year, while Sven Botman (knee) may be out for longer than initially feared.
Newcastle’s current injuries
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
---|---|---|
Sven Botman |
Knee |
December 2023 |
Matt Targett |
Hamstring |
January 2024 |
Dan Burn |
Back |
January 2024 |
Elliot Anderson |
Back |
January 2024 |
Jacob Murphy |
Shoulder |
January 2024 |
Harvey Barnes |
Ankle |
December 2023 |
Alexander Isak |
Groin |
November 2023 |
Callum Wilson |
Hamstring |
January 2024 |
Newcastle sit seventh in the Premier League table after taking 20 points from their first 12 games, but the defeat to Bournemouth highlighted just how stretched Howe’s squad is.
Lewis Miley was handed a first Premier League start in midfield and Anthony Gordon was tasked with leading the line, flanked by Miguel Almiron and Joelinton.
The Magpies still have ambitions of making it out of their Champions League group, but defeat to Borussia Dortmund last time out has made life difficult. Newcastle must now travel to Paris Saint-Germain and get a positive result, when they will still be depleted by injuries, and will likely need to beat AC Milan at St James’ Park to have any chance of making it through to the last 16.
Sandro Tonali’s ten-month ban for betting offences has already forced the club to re-assess their plans in the January transfer window, but the focus may change if Newcastle continue to be dogged by injuries in defence and up front.