Forget Wilson: Howe can find key solution in NUFC dynamo with a goal every 1.08 games - opinion

Newcastle have struggled throughout this season in the Premier League and are currently 17th in the table as it stands.

The Magpies are one point ahead of 18th-placed Norwich and have the second-worst defensive record in the division, with 44 goals conceded in 22 games.

However, they have also struggled to find consistent goalscorers. They have netted 24 goals in 22 games and are now set to be without their top scorer Callum Wilson for the majority of the campaign.

The ex-Bournemouth forward has been tipped to return for the last few matches of the season and has scored six Premier League goals this term, with 18 since the start of the 2020/21 campaign. This shows how important he has been to the team and why his absence is a major blow for Howe’s squad heading into the next few months.

It is time to forget about Wilson for now though, as he will not be back for a little while yet, and start focusing on potential solutions at the top end of the pitch. How can Newcastle replace his goals?

January signing Chris Wood has scored three league goals in 20 appearances for Burnley and the Magpies combined this season and does not appear to offer the same goalscoring threat as his teammate. This means that it could be the right time to dip into the academy structure to find a new first-team hero.

One young player who has been making waves at youth level is teenage centre-forward Michael Ndiweni. The Chronicle recently reported that he has been called up to training with the senior squad after impressing Howe, which suggests that he could have the potential to make the step up. 

In the academy this season, Ndiweni has scored an outstanding 12 goals in 13 matches. This means that he has found the back of the net every 1.08 matches