Eddie Howe provides update on estimated return date for Callum Wilson

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Eddie Howe hopes to have a “bouncing” Callum Wilson, who will feel like a “new signing”, available for the final games of the season.

Newcastle’s number nine has been stepping up his rehab away from the training ground in recent weeks after suffering a calf injury in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United back in December.

Despite initially being ruled out for a couple of months, his recovery is expected to be significantly longer and if he does manage to play again this season, the club are likely to view it as a welcome bonus.

But ahead of tonight’s clash against Southampton, Howe has provided an encouraging update on the 30-year-old in his pre-match press conference.

“He’s been away for a considerable part of his rehab so, at the moment, he’s in London getting specialist treatment on his injury,” Howe told reporters.

“Previous to that, he had been away in Dubai, again getting specialist treatment for his injury, so we haven’t seen a great amount of him around the training ground but I don’t think that’s been a negative for me.

“I know he’s away getting looked after and it also helped him mentally with the mental grind when you’re injured. I’ve been there many times when you’re coming into the same place to get the same treatment. It can have a negative effect on your psychology so when he does come back, we will see a bouncing Callum.

“He’s very happy, he knows he’s in a good place, he’s improving. What I would love to see is him come back and be like a new signing for us for our final few games.”

From late April onwards, Newcastle face Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Burnley in our last four games.

With Premier League safety hopefully assured by then it could be a good opportunity to integrate Callum Wilson back into the side ahead of returning in pre-season.

However, if we do need a result from one of those games, the availability of Newcastle’s top scorer will be a massive boost for Howe and the Magpies squad.

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