Newcastle: £18m star faces uncertain future at St James' Park

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson is unlikely to be a ‘main player’ in Eddie Howe’s St James’ Park plans next season, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Howe, who was appointed as the Magpies’ head coach last November, has led the Tyneside giants away from a relegation dogfight and could look to splash the cash in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Newcastle parted with £20million in order to draft Wilson in from Bournemouth more than 18 months ago, but his St James’ Park career has been hampered by a string of injuries.

His latest problem has resulted in the frontman being unable to feature for the Magpies since the stalemate with Manchester United shortly before the turn of the year.

That is despite Howe originally claiming the calf injury would keep Wilson on the sidelines for eight weeks.

However, it appears the four-cap England international, who has scored 109 goals over the course of his club career, is closing in on a return to action.

Although Howe has revealed the 30-year-old is ‘still with the physiotherapists’, he also insisted Wilson will be stepping up his recovery and there remains hope that he will enjoy more game-time before the end of the season.

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Jones believes Newcastle are keen for Wilson to return to full fitness ahead of the campaign reaching its climax next month.

However, the transfer insider does not feel that necessarily means the former Bournemouth man will return to being Howe’s first-choice striker.

He has hinted that Howe may look to bring in a new frontman ahead of next season getting underway, sending Wilson down the pecking order on Tyneside.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “They obviously want him back, but I