Steve Bruce gives Callum Wilson injury update at Newcastle United and reveals Covid-19 infections

The striker missed Newcastle United’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at St James’s Park last weekend with the hamstring injury he picked up against Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium early this month.

However, leading scorer Wilson, signed in the summer from Bournemouth, has trained all week, and will be in the club’s squad for the game at Selhurst Park.

"As we speak, Callum will be fit,” said head coach Bruce. “He’s trained all week. We didn’t think we could risk him (against Chelsea), but he’ll be available, which we’re delighted about.

“He’s already made a difference. He’s got six goals in eight games in the Premier League.”

Bruce – whose squad is tested for coronavirus once a week – also revealed that one or more players could miss the fixture with Covid-19 infections, though he didn’t name individuals.

Bruce said: “We've got one or two other niggles, problems with Covid. Covid’s one problem. I don’t want to go into it with individuals. We have to manage the situation. We’ve got two or three individuals in the training ground at the moment that are self-isolating.

"That is difficult to manage, and we’ve got one or two injuries, but we’re getting a few back and we’re not as bad as some. We’ve got Jonjo (Shelvey), Matt (Ritchie) and Callum back – and that can only be a positive.”

The club is 15th in the Premier League table after taking 11 points from nine games.

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