The Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards has suggested that Callum Wilson could be set to return sooner than first anticipated after his hamstring injury was revealed to be not too serious.
It sounds like Callum Wilson’s hamstring injury is not too serious so will be on the lower end of the scale for recovery time. In that respect, the international break has come at a useful time #nufc
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) November 10, 2020
It had been reported that Newcastle could potentially be facing a prolonged period without Wilson, with the fear being that the hamstring injury he suffered against Southampton before the international break could have kept him out of action for most of the rest of the year, per The Northern Echo.
That would have been a major blow for Steve Bruce’s side, who are already struggling to score and create chances in the final third so far this campaign. Taking away Wilson’s impressive tally of six goals in eight matches at a rate of 0.8 per game (Sofascore), the Magpies have managed just four league goals this term.
However, it has now emerged that Newcastle could have the striker back during the earlier end of the possible timescale for his recovery. Edwards also suggested that the international break will also help the Magpies get the 28-year-old back to fitness and see him miss out on fewer matches than usual in the timeframe involved.
Read Newcastle verdict
Having Wilson back swiftly will be a major boost for the Magpies, who have become heavily reliant on him despite him only having arrived in the summer. In a lot of their matches so far this season, Bruce’s side have sat back and sought to absorb pressure in the hope that the 28-year-old’s predatory instincts could grab them a goal at the other end.
Without the forward, it looks like Newcastle could really struggle to score goals in the final third, with their next-highest scorers Joelinton and Jacob Murphy only on two goals in all competitions. Therefore, Wilson’s return is integral to helping the Magpies continue to pick up points.
Nonetheless, Bruce still needs to prove that he can find alternative methods to get Newcastle going in the final third in the absence of Wilson. This period where he is out injured will be telling as to whether the Magpies have allowed themselves to become overly dependent on the 28-year-old.
