Newcastle United star ruled out for three months after fresh injury twist

Wilson missed all of pre-season with a back issue and has since been ruled out for Newcastle’s opening nine matches of the 2024-25 campaign. The striker is not expected to be back in training until the next international break in October.

Newcastle’s first match after the break is at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on October 19 but there is no guarantee Wilson will be fit and available for that match as things stand.

“Callum won't make the game, we're looking at the next international break to have him back in full training ready for the games following,” Howe said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham.

The Newcastle boss then revealed Wilson has been suffering from a hamstring issue linked to his initial back problem. As a result, the injuries are set to sideline him for three months in total.

It has been another frustrating spell for the 32-year-old, who has managed just 267 out of a possible 3240 minutes of football for Newcastle in 2024.

“Any injury to the hamstring is potentially complex,” Howe explained. “There’s no re-injure, it’s just a case of readjusting the timescale really depending on how he felt.

“We’ve had to listen to his body when he’s delivered the work. He’s been re-scanned and it’s maybe not healed as quickly as we hoped. A slight adjustment but hopefully we’ll have him back fully fit and firing for the next group of games which will be really important.

“We have missed him. I think we’ve really missed his energy and what he brings to the squad and we’ve missed the competition that he brings.

“The back [injury] is there but it was sort of connected. He’s working his way back and he’s looking good at the moment.”

Watch on Shots! Geordie Journos reflect on Newcastle United's impressive start to the season

Wilson’s ongoing injury problems have become more frustrating for Howe and Newcastle with Alexander Isak picking up a toe injury during the 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. Isak is a doubt for the trip to Fulham as a result meaning Newcastle may have to start Anthony Gordon out of position as a striker or hand 21-year-old Will Osula his debut despite the youngster being yet to score a Premier League goal.

Discussing Wilson’s recovery, Howe continued: “He’s been fine. There is always an initial disappointment because it was very early into pre-season when he picked up the injury.

“He was really looking forward to the season and in a great place. When you know you’re going to miss the early part of the season there is that ‘I’m not going to play early on, how is the season going to unfold for me from that point?’

“There are a lot of doubts that go into the player’s head but then after you over that initial disappointment you just see the return date and you fight then to get back as quickly as possible.

“Callum is doing that but I think sensibly the medical team are managing him and making sure he comes back at the right time.”