Why Eddie Howe wanted Callum Wilson on Newcastle United's trip to Saudi Arabia despite injury

Callum Wilson travelled with the Newcastle United squad to Saudi Arabia last week despite being in the middle of his rehab from a calf injury.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Wilson hasn’t featured for The Magpies since he was forced off in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United back in December.

He is not expected to return to first team action for at least another month with no clear timescale on when he’ll be back in action.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he still flew out with the squad to Jeddah for a warm weather training camp although he is yet to return to full training. He was also spotted carrying crutches ahead of the 2-1 friendly win over Al-Ittihad.

Callum Wilson of Newcastle United looks on as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Callum Wilson of Newcastle United looks on as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Callum Wilson of Newcastle United looks on as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Although his involvement on the football side of things was minimal while in the Gulf state, United’s top scorer still felt like it was a worthwhile trip for himself and the team.

“It was nice, it was different, I'd never been to Saudi Arabia before so it was a good experience to be fair,” he said on the Footballer’s Football Podcast.

“It's been a little bit different because usually it would be a training kind of camp [for me].”

Read More
Jesse Lingard breaks silence on being left out of Manchester United squad follow...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe stressed the importance of team bonding sessions during the trip, which is why injured players such as Wilson, Federico Fernandez, Paul Dummett and Joelinton still travelled.

Some of the bonding sessions included players and staff going go karting, dancing with locals, attending Saudi Arabia’s 1-0 World Cup Qualifier win over Oman, playing Allan Saint-Maximin’s very own card game Helios and other sport related activities during the six day stay in the country.

"I managed to get the team bonding side of things out there,” Wilson added.

“The dinners, the team events, things like that which the manager wanted me out there for. Then I've just done my rehab with the physio and when I had the opportunity, got myself out in the sun to enjoy a little sunbathe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"A little bit of sun in the winter is always good on the body and you come back with that little Saudi Arabian glow!”

Newcastle will be hoping they can manage without Wilson once again as they prepare to take on Everton at St James’s Park next Tuesday (7:45pm kick-off) following a busy transfer window.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor