“It's a huge blow”: Journalist reacts after shock update on £20m Newcastle star

It would be a ‘huge blow’ to Newcastle United if star striker Callum Wilson is unable to return to action until the last few weeks of the season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined with a calf injury after picking up the problem against Manchester United on 27 December and was expected to be out for eight weeks.

However, Newcastle’s Premier League survival hopes were dealt another major blow after it emerged that Wilson may actually be missing until the final handful of games of the campaign.

In a recent press conference, Magpies manager Eddie Howe revealed the clinical forward may well be missing for significantly longer than originally believed after making ‘slow progress’ in his recovery.

“It’s been slow progress for him since the initial injury…But I don’t think it’s going to be short-term. Hopefully he can make the last few games of the season and really help us in the key moment,” said Howe.

Wilson has established himself as a pivotal player for Newcastle since arriving from Bournemouth via a £20 million move back in September 2020.

In 43 appearances for the St. James’ Park outfit, the former England international has scored 18 goals and provided five assists, playing a key role in their top-flight survival last term.

Newcastle brought in former Burnley forward Chris Wood for £25m following Wilson’s latest fitness setback after several impressive years at Turf Moor.

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Yet O’Rourke still believes Wilson’s enforced absence will be a sizeable setback for the Toon Army as he is their ‘best striker’.

He told GiveMeSport: “It’s a huge blow for Newcastle if Callum Wilson doesn’t make it back until maybe the last