Newcastle latest news: 'Positive signs for Eddie Howe' after 'big blow' over £20m star

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has been impressed with how Newcastle have coped without striker Callum Wilson.

The 29-year-old has scored six goals in 15 appearances for the Magpies this term, but he has been unavailable in recent weeks.

Wilson suffered a calf injury in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United in December, and was forced off just before half time.

He has not featured for the side since, and manager Eddie Howe gave an update on the forward earlier this week.

Speaking to the press, Howe admitted that Wilson had made “slow progress” in his recovery from the fitness issue, and stated that he did not expect the £20m signing to return to action until “the last few games of the season.”

O’Rourke has conceded that Wilson being absent for an extended period of time is not good news for Newcastle, but he has praised how the rest of the squad have stepped up in the side’s last two games, which has seen them pick up wins over Leeds and Everton.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Callum Wilson, I think it’s a big blow for Newcastle, but the last couple of games they’ve showed a great response with two wins on the spin, and other players have chipped in with goals. So, positive signs for Eddie Howe.”

Newcastle losing their top scorer for several months when they are locked in a relegation battle is far from ideal.

However, Jonjo Shelvey, Ryan Fraser and Kieran Trippier have all found the net in the team’s last two league matches. This should give fans a reason to be optimistic about the club’s chances of staying up.

New signing Chris Wood, who joined from Burnley last month, is yet to get off the mark for Howe’s men, and he may need to starting scoring soon if Newcastle want to continue picking up points that will move them away from