This is why Joelinton still has the No.9 shirt at Newcastle United

Wilson took that shirt after joining Newcastle United in a £15million move from Bournemouth this summer.

There had been speculation that the striker would take the club’s famous No.9 shirt from Joelinton. Wilson, however, had no intention of taking the shirt off his team-mate.

"The No.9 was taken,” said Wilson, who also wore the No.13 shirt at Bournemouth. "I wasn't going to come in and take shirt numbers from people – I just wanted to get my feet under the table and settle in.

"I didn’t want to cause disruption. Had it been available – don't get me wrong – I’d have snapped it up with both hands. For now, it's not.

"What I was given, I was given. I came here to score goals regardless of shirt numbers. I know there's history, but you can always add to that history with a different number."

The No.9 jersey comes with added pressure, something Joelinton, signed from Hoffenheim for £40million last year, has found out.

"It can add pressure to players who don't necessarily need it,” said Wilson, who has scored four Premier League goals so far this season. "I think Joe has experienced that last season.

"It (the No.9 shirt) is quite a heavy given the great careers some have had. There have been other players in different shirts who have been heroes for the club.

"As long as you play for the badge on the front, it doesn't matter. Your name’s on the shirt, and people know who you are. You just do your job on the pitch.

Wilson hopes to “hit new heights” at Newcastle after six years at Bournemouth.

"When the opportunity arose, I knew there was a lot of demand on the strikers,” said the 28-year-old. "Rightly so – it’s a huge club. Strikers are what fire a club to new ground. That's why when I was a kid I wanted to get the glory of scoring goals and celebrating in front of fans.

"For me, it's an exciting challenge – I’ll thrive off it. That pressure sometimes you can crumble or take yourself to another level. That's what I hope – that I hit new heights.”