He's BACK! Newcastle United's Callum Wilson restarts light training – and reveals he's set a first-team return date

Wilson today started training outdoors, doing some fitness and ball work away from the rest of the United first-team squad at the club’s Benton training base.

The 10-goal striker has been a huge miss for the Magpies, having limping out of the 3-2 win over Southampton on February 6 with a hamstring tear. United have not won a game since the £20m frontman was sidelined.

But light is at the end of the tunnel for Wilson, who admits he has got a first-team return date in mind, even if he won’t reveal it publicly.

"I've stepped up this week - getting quicker with the ball. I'm moving well and feeling good,” said the former AFC Bournemouth man.

"I'm just counting down the days until I get back to be honest.

"I spent four weeks in a rehab camp in Bournemouth, so I got to spend time with my family as well. I've come back up here and we're in the next section where I'm outside on the grass and ramping things up slowly.

"It's very controlled and making sure that I don't get any setbacks along the way."

While the trip to Brighton and Hove Albion is thought to be too soon to expect Wilson to be involved, the Tottenham Hotspur encounter at St James’ Park on Sunday, April 4, following the international break, is a much more realistic aim.

"I always set targets, so I have got a game in mind that I'm aiming to get back for,” said the 29-year-old to NUFC TV.

"That's the motivation throughout my rehab – you have to have something to set your mind on.

"Obviously I won't reveal that because it's all controlled and making sure everything goes well."

Manager Steve Bruce will be without winger Allan Saint-Maximin for this weekend’s Amex trip – he could, however, welcome Miguel Almiron back into the fold.

The Paraguayan is understood to be close to fitness, but may have to settle for a place on the bench rather than a starting role.