Eddie Howe is ready to gamble on Callum Wilson’s fitness this season despite his injury issues after missing out on long-term transfer target Hugo Ekitike… with the Magpies boss confident his No 9 can provide 15-20 goals
- Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is ready to take a risk and rely on Callum Wilson
- Wilson has struggled with injuries throughout his career including last year
- The 30-year-old missed five months in 2021-22 with an Achilles issue
- Newcastle missed out on main transfer target Huge Ekitike, who has joined PSG
Eddie Howe is ready to gamble on the fitness of Callum Wilson as Newcastle’s main striker this season after missing out on top target Hugo Ekitike.
The French forward, 20, has joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan with an option to buy. The Magpies had agreed a deal of around £25million with Reims only for the move to stall last month amid excessive demands from the player’s agent.
But with Ekitike gone and Chelsea striker Armando Broja set for West Ham, it is likely that the bulk of Newcastle’s budget will be spent on a winger – although Jack Harrison of Leeds and Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby are proving too expensive.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is ready to rely on Callum Wilson for goals this season
Wilson has scored 20 goals in two years for Newcastle but has an inconsistent fitness record
It means Wilson is almost certain to go into the campaign as Howe’s central striker, despite obvious doubts over the 30-year-old’s fitness record.
He only returned for the final three matches of last season after injuring his calf and Achilles in December, while he did not take part in the intensive work at the start of the team’s training session here in Austria on Sunday.
Howe, though, believes Wilson can carry the burden and return the 15 to 20 goals expected this term.
‘No one has ever doubted Callum’s ability,’ said the head coach from the team hotel in Saalfelden. ‘He is an outstanding striker, and he showed that coming back from a long injury and performing well at the end of the season. I would love him to have an injury-free campaign.
‘We are looking for (15 to 20 goals) from our No 9, for sure – whether that’s Callum on his own or with Chris Wood. We need those goals from our front…