Eddie Howe: Callum Wilson will be like a new signing on return to Newcastle team

NEWCASTLE: Callum Wilson will be like a new signing for Newcastle United when he returns from his long-term calf problem — that’s the view of head coach Eddie Howe.

However, the United chief does not think his top-scorer will be back available until the final few games of the Premier League season.

The Magpies have been without the services of six-goal Wilson, who pulled up with the injury midway through the 1-1 home draw with Manchester United in December, for the last eight games in all competitions.

And with just 12 games left this campaign, Howe is not expecting to see a whole lot more of England international Wilson before May.

Howe said: “He’s been away for a considerable part of his rehab. At the moment, he’s in London getting specialist treatment on his injury.

“Previous to that, he had been in Dubai so we haven’t seen a great amount of him around the training ground but I don’t think that’s been a negative.

“For me, I know he’s away getting looked after and it also helps him mentally. The mental grind of when you’re injured, and I’ve been there many times, when you’re coming into the same place and same treatment, it can have a negative effect on your psychology.

“When he does come back we see a bounce from Callum, he’s very happy, knows he is in a good place and improving.

“What I’d love to see is for him to come back and be like a new signing for us for our final few games.”

In the absence of experienced campaigner Wilson, and international teammate Kieran Trippier, Howe has been forced to lean on one of the more divisive figures in the camp, in fans’ eyes anyway, Jonjo Shelvey.

The ex-Liverpool man has been skipper in the past three games — and while many have questioned whether the player will