Newcastle Striker Callum Wilson Faces Lengthy Absence After Chest Surgery
Newcastle United’s hopes for a strong finish to the season have been dealt a severe blow as striker Callum Wilson is set to miss a significant portion of the remaining games following chest surgery. The 31-year-old sustained a pectoral muscle injury during Newcastle’s 3-2 Premier League victory against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Wilson, who has been a key figure for Newcastle this season, scoring eight goals in 22 appearances across all competitions, has been plagued by various fitness issues including hamstring and calf problems. This latest setback adds to his already troubled campaign.
“It is no doubt a big blow for him,” commented Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “It’s been a stop-start season for him. We hope he’s back before the end of the season.” Wilson demonstrated his determination by completing the full match against Forest, improvising a sling using his shirt at the end.
The injury itself occurred during a tussle with the opposing center-back, leading to further examination and subsequent surgery. “We had it scanned and hoped initially he could continue, but when he went to see a specialist, I think it was apparent quite early that he needed it operating on,” explained Howe.
As Newcastle currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League table, their hopes for a strong finish and potential European qualification may be jeopardized by Wilson’s absence. The team faces Bournemouth in their next match, with 14 games remaining before the season concludes on May 19th.
Wilson’s injury also raises concerns for his international commitments. The striker was part of the England side that claimed victory over Scotland in a friendly match last September. England has upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium next month before the Euro 2024 tournament kicks off on June 14th.
In addition to Wilson’s injury woes, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is also dealing with uncertainty regarding the future of sporting director Dan Ashworth. Manchester United has reportedly approached Ashworth to take up a similar role at Old Trafford. While Ashworth has not provided any assurances about his stay, Howe stated that as of now, there has been no contact from other clubs.
“It’s quite an unusual situation,” said Howe. “Usually, there’s transfer speculation on players – this is very different.” The potential departure of Ashworth adds another layer of uncertainty for Newcastle as they navigate the remainder of the season and plan for the future.
As fans and players hope for a quick recovery for Wilson, Newcastle United must find ways to compensate for his absence and maintain their push for European qualification. The upcoming matches will undoubtedly test their resilience and ability to adapt to this significant setback.