Callum Wilson will miss Newcastle United’s Premier League opener at home to Southampton on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The 32-year-old was at Adidas’ HQ in Herzogenaurach with his teammates when he sustained a back injury. After visiting a specialist, Wilson required an injection, forcing him to miss all six of the club’s pre-season friendlies.
Since joining the Magpies from AFC Bournemouth for £20million in 2020, Wilson has scored on the opening day each time. However, he will be robbed of the opportunity to extend his record this weekend with his recovery ongoing.
Wilson is also likely to miss the fixture away to former club AFC Bournemouth the following weekend.
Asked about Wilson last Thursday, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “His recovery is going very well. He’s really positive and it’s not a long-term injury.
“He’s had an injection in his back and his back feels really good. But there is a timescale for his return. I don’t think he’ll be back for Southampton but hopefully for the early games in the season.”
Meanwhile, Matt Targett is pencilled in to return to training this week. The left-back has become somewhat a forgotten man with his last appearance coming against Manchester United in November last year.
The former Aston Villa defender had only just recovered from hamstring surgery when he suffered an Achilles injury in March.
“We hope Matt will train next week,” Howe said last week. “We haven’t seen him for a long, long time so that will be a big lift for him and for us. Hopefully, that return to training goes very well. Callum [Wilson] is a bit further behind, but not too long.”
Asides from the pair, and the long-term absentees of Lewis Miley (metatarsal), Sven Botman (ACL) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL), Newcastle have has a clean bill of health ahead of the Saints’ visit.
Sandro Tonali is also unavailable but he is due to return from his 10-month betting ban when Tottenham Hotspur visit St James’ Park on Sunday, September 1.
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