Eddie Howe reveals why he left Callum Wilson out of his Newcastle United starting XI

The Newcastle United striker – who has scored six Premier League goals so far this season – started Thursday night’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on the bench.

Wilson, troubled by hamstring problems since joining the club from Bournemouth last year, was sent on late in the game after Allan Saint-Maximin suffered an injury.

Howe, mindful of the importance of managing Wilson’s minutes through the hectic festive period, felt that it was the time to leave the 29-year-old out of his starting XI.

Asked about the decision to start Wilson on the bench, United’s head coach said: “With that (managing the players through the festive period) in mind, we felt today was the moment where we could give Callum a rest and protect him.

“Obviously, I know the player very well (from Bournemouth). I know his history. I know how important he is for the team and the club. It was the case of just trying to manage his minutes.

"There’s no guarantee even if you do manage minutes, that you’ll keep everybody fit, but I think we’ve got to be intelligent, and make the right call on the player’s behalf and the team’s behalf, and today was that moment for Callum.”

Wilson is expected to return to the starting XI for Sunday’s home game against Premier League champions Manchester City.

Relegation-threatened Newcastle are 19th in the Premier League with 10 points from 17 games.

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