Newcastle United may have been handed a late blow ahead of their Premier League clash on Saturday with Callum Wilson struggling through illness.
This has been relayed by the reliable Toon correspondent for The Chronicle, Lee Ryder, who has been speaking on his latest Twitter video.
It has been a sensational 2022/23 campaign so far for the Toon who have just one game remaining before they break for the World Cup.
Graham Potter’s Chelsea make the long trip north to St. James’ Park on Saturday with the hope of closing the gap on the top four and Howe’s side.
And the Londoners may now face a Newcastle side without this season’s second top goalscorer with Wilson said to be battling with an illness ahead of the fixture:
“There is one fitness doubt going into it, Callum Wilson has been training in isolation this week. So we will have to wait and see how he reports back.
“But ultimately, from a Newcastle point of view, it’s been a big week. Three games in six days, you know, Southampton took its toll on some of the players then the midweek cup win over Palace which included all the drama of penalties.”
TIF Thoughts on Ryder’s comments…
This will obviously be a big concern for Howe ahead of the game with Wilson in such fine goalscoring form this season which has seen him called up for England’s World Cup squad.
Should Wilson be pushed to play on Saturday?
Yes
No
Adding to the issue of Wilson, Alexander Isak is still unavailable through injury which will leave Howe short of options through the middle if Wilson does not pass a late fitness test.
Maybe, Howe could look to play with a false nine to try and continue their fine run of goalscoring form despite the potential absence of their star striker.
It is perhaps a crumb of comfort that the likes of Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes are chipping in with the goals with the 30-year-old striker labelled a ‘doubt’ by Ryder.