Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has provided an injury update on Callum Wilson ahead of the Magpies’ final game of the season.
His side have it all to do against Brentford, with a win enough to ensure that Newcastle United finish seventh in the Premier League. It could even be enough for sixth, if Chelsea lose to Bournemouth.
The Magpies need a response after a crushing defeat to Man United on Wednesday, with that result massively denting Newcastle’s European aspirations. Even if they do finish seventh, they will need Manchester City to win the FA Cup to guarantee Europa Conference League qualification.
For now, all Newcastle can do is focus on themselves, and Howe is hoping to welcome a key player back to his squad for the trip to the capital.
Eddie Howe provides fitness update on Callum Wilson
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has spoke to the media ahead of the final game of the season away to Brentford.
He has provided an update on Callum Wilson, who has missed the Magpies’ previous two games. In total, he has missed 25 matches this season, but it does not look like that will become 26.
“We anticipate he [Wilson] will be back,” Howe said, as reported by the Chronicle.
Newcastle have suffered without Wilson
It will be a huge boost if Wilson is available. Howe needs all of his best players available for one last push, as they look to do all they can to qualify for Europe.
They have put themselves in a situation where it has gone to the final day, having picked up just one point from games against Brighton and Manchester United.
During both of those fixtures, the Magpies had only had one fit striker – and calling him ‘fit’ is a stretch. Alexander Isak started both games, but clearly was not 100%. He has been suffering from illness, and was nowhere near as sharp as he has been in recent months.
As for Wilson, he was absent with his own illness. It was a massive blow to lose the £20million man, as he had only just returned from a pectoral injury. He had came back in fine form, scoring two goals before succumbing to another absence.
It summed up what has been a very frustrating season for Wilson.
Brentford could be his final game for Newcastle United ahead of summer transfer window
But he could be back to face Brentford on Sunday, in what could possibly be his final Toon appearance.
His future is up in the air, with the club believing it is the right time to sell him given his age and contract situation. But Eddie Howe wants to keep him at St James’ Park, and insists that signing a replacement will be very costly.
But it is a bullet that the club might have to bite, as Wilson’s lack of availability continues to be a massive hindrance.
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