Ben Dinnery

Sun 13 February 2022 8:00, UK

It is possible that Callum Wilson will not play again for Newcastle United this season.

That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.

Wilson has not featured for the Magpies since sustaining a calf injury in the 1-1 draw with Man United on 27 December last year.

Manager Eddie Howe told BBC Sport on Monday (7 February) that he hopes the 29-year-old goalscorer “returns for the last few games of the season”.

But Howe, who also revealed that Wilson is no longer using crutches, was unable to give a ballpark return-to-play timeline.

Dinnery analysed Wilson’s situation and whether he will be able to help Newcastle in their bid for Premier League survival.

“It could be massive if he can get back for that run-in, but I’m not so sure,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“In terms of confidence within the club, there are definitely concerns. Newcastle wanted to bring another striker in.

“You hope to be in the dogfight by the time Wilson returns. But there is such a long time to go and so many things could happen.

“Given his history, it could be difficult to pin him down to a precise return date.

“In a best-case scenario, we are looking at a rehab and recovery programme that won’t be beset by anything major.

“But he’s a player who won’t have played since the back end of December. It’s a long time to be out. In a worst-case scenario his season may be over.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time to play yourself back into contention. That is the reality of the situation,

“Given the nature of his problems, it is a very difficult call. It will be assessed week to week, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

Wilson is Newcastle’s top scorer in 2021-22 with six strikes in 15 appearances.

Newcastle are currently 17th in the league table.

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