It was a shock to see Callum Wilson travel with the Newcastle United squad to Saudi Arabia last month.
When pictures emerged of the players exiting the plane alongside Amanda Staveley, there was our number nine.
‘Player travels with team’ is hardly shock news, but it is when the player in question is out injured.
Wilson hasn’t played for Newcastle since December 27th, limping off before half-time in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The 29-year-old suffered a groin injury, ruling him out for eight weeks. He’s still a little bit away from a return, with the Athletic stating that the club hope to have him back to face Brighton on March 5th.
So why was an injured Callum Wilson on the plane to Saudi Arabia for the warm weather training camp?
Eddie Howe wanted Callum Wilson in Saudi Arabia
The Toon striker hosts a podcast on BBC Sounds with West Ham forward Michail Antonio. And on the latest episode of The Footballer’s Football podcast, Wilson spoke about his recent trip away.
“It’s been a little bit different because usually it would be a training kind of camp and things like that,” Wilson said.
“But I’ve managed to get the team bonding side of things out there. The dinners and team events, stuff like that, which the manager wanted me out there for. Then I’ve just done my rehab with the physio.”
Team spirit key for Eddie Howe
The fact Eddie Howe wanted the injured Wilson on the trip shows how important the team bonding aspect of it was.
Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Paul Dummett all travelled too, despite picking up injuries in the win at Leeds. Federico Fernandez was also there continuing his rehab.
With a vitally important second half of the season on the horizon, team spirit is crucial. Everyone needs to be pulling in the right direction to keep the club in the Premier League.
It’s even more important given what went on in January. New signings arrived, while regulars have been pushed aside. That could easily create a rift in the Toon dressing room.
But hopefully that isn’t the case, and it shouldn’t be if Newcastle have signed the right characters. And it looks like they have.
Wilson is clearly an important member of the squad, and captained the Magpies during the 1-1 draw with Norwich back in November.
Despite being nowhere near a return, Howe wanted him with the team in Saudi Arabia. And he even got the chance to meet Hollywood star Gerard Butler.
‘Newcastle striker pictured with Gerard Butler during mid-season training camp in Saudi Arabia’ – what on earth has happened to this club?!
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