Newcastle United could be haunted by ‘big gamble’ after ‘terrible’ Callum Wilson update – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Newcastle United will wish they had added another striker following an update on Callum Wilson’s injury.
The former Leeds hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 29-year-old is a “much more natural goalscorer” than new addition Chris Wood.
As per Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope (7 February), Wilson has “no return date” after suffering a calf injury in December.
Eddie Howe has expressed hopes that the striker will return for the “last few games of the season”.
Wood was drafted in from relegation rivals Burnley in January in the wake of the injury but is yet to get off the mark for the Magpies.
Whelan conceded it is “really hard to get who you want” in the winter window.
“It’s a big gamble, and one that will only pay off if they manage to avoid relegation,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I think they’ve gone out and got Chris Wood, and he’s someone who is a proven scorer in this league.
“You’re going to feel it when you’re missing someone as potent as Wilson, who is a much more natural goalscorer – like Patrick Bamford.
“It’s inevitable that they’ll miss him, it’s a terrible injury, but Wood is a decent option. I’m sure they wish they’d have got more firepower if they knew the full extent of Wilson’s injury.
“However, January is a window where nine times out of ten – it’s really hard to get who you want.”
Newcastle looked set to complete the deadline day capture of French striker Hugo Ekitike.
However, Football Insider revealed (31 January) that after weighing up the move, the 19-year-old snubbed the chance to move to St James’ Park.
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