Callum Wilson may not play again for Newcastle United this season amid his struggles with his calf injury, according to Jordan Cronin.
The Newcastle correspondent was speaking on the Loaded HQ YouTube channel on Wednesday night and touched upon the numerous injury issues Eddie Howe is managing.
Do you expect Wilson to start up top next season?
Yes
No
Wilson sustained the calf injury back in December against Manchester United and has not been able to return to action since, despite recently being spotted in training.
Although Wilson had netted six times in the Premier League before picking up the injury, the Toon have fared well without last season’s top scorer and now find themselves 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
And with the Magpies edging ever closer to retaining their top-flight status, Cronin believes Howe will have little interest in rushing Wilson back to the pitch, which could see him sit the rest of the season out.
He said: “It’s a difficult one with Callum Wilson because the club sort of, I think, downplayed how bad Callum Wilson’s injury actually was.
“The updates from Eddie Howe, it doesn’t suggest that they’re pushing Callum Wilson to be back. If Newcastle are safe – which they will be – by the end of the season, then I wouldn’t be surprised if Callum Wilson didn’t play again this season. There’s no reason to risk him.”
TIF Thoughts on Cronin’s comments…
We think there will likely be some fans who will be frustrated by Cronin’s comments over the possibility of not seeing their top scorer take to the pitch again this season despite Wilson returning to training last month.
However, the 30-year-old has a terrible injury record stretching over his career, and with the Toon all but safe from the drop, we think it would be a smart move from Howe to keep Wilson sidelined.
But what we are interested in is whether Wilson will be the starting striker next season after the new owners’ first summer window at the helm, amid speculation of a possible new striker circulating.
In other news: George Caulkin reveals £9m-rated ace is ‘very popular’ in Newcastle dressing room