Callum Wilson returning from the World Cup injured would be Eddie Howe’s worst fear, claims Noel Whelan.
The Sun previously reported that both Wilson and Declan Rice were absent from training in the build-up to the France game.
Rice recovered to start and finish England’s 2-1 quarter-final loss to France but the Toon striker remained an unused substitute despite the Three Lions needing a goal to save their tournament, perhaps an indication of the fitness and risk involved with playing the 30-year-old.
Wilson’s inspired form led the Magpies to pick up 22 points from a possible 24 as he bagged four and assisted two in that spell, following an earlier two goals in three games starting the campaign which saw him recalled to the England squad for the first time since 2019.
Whelan told Football Insider his long-term fitness will be Howe’s worst fear with the striker’s previous injury problems always a worry, despite Wilson being handed just 47 minutes of football at the World Cup:
“There’s always danger with a player like Wilson.
“It’s going to be the worst fear for Eddie Howe – his main striker coming back from this World Cup out of shape,” Whelan said.
TIF Thoughts on Whelan’s comments…
Wilson has been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season, after injury last season limited him to just eight goals in 18 games, with him missing for virtually the entirety of the second half of the season.
It looked even bleaker for the Englishman after the club spent a record £63m to bring Alexander Isak in from Real Sociedad in the summer, he immediately took the lead role as he scored twice in three games before an injury has seen him not feature since and leave the door open for Wilson to thrive.
The Swede is likely to return before the new year and any extended period of time that the 30-year-old finds himself out for could see him lose his place both short and long-term.