Wilson has no regrets as he targets Euros berth
NEWCASTLE United forward Callum Wilson insists he has no regrets over playing so much before his most recent injury as he targets a return to the England fold just in time for this summer’s European Championships.
Wilson was finally back in action for Newcastle on Saturday, replacing Anthony Gordon at half-time after he was forced off prematurely with a twisted ankle. It was Wilson’s first appearance for the Magpies since the Boxing Day defeat to Nottingham Forest.
His return comes at a vital time, with Alexander Isak facing weeks on the sidelines, while questions linger over the severity of Gordon’s issue. Thankfully, Wilson is raring to go with only one game per week in the coming months.
“I feel good,” he said after Saturday’s 4-4 draw with Luton Town. “I was out with a hamstring issue and came back into a storm of games and picked up a calf injury. You end up playing four to five 90 minutes in under two weeks. It is no one’s fault, it was the circumstances, I believe.
“If asked again I would put myself forward to play every game. Sometimes that may be to the detriment of myself. I would not change anything.
“We have week to week now. Not Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and that kind of relentless run of games. All we can do is get some good training under our belts and look forward to Forest and getting a win there.”
Wilson’s recent absence means he is facing a race against time to earn a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England setup. The ex-Bournemouth man featured during the 2022 Qatar World Cup and isn’t writing off his chances of earning a spot on the plane to Germany this summer.
“There is an international in March and you want to get back in for that and get yourself into the team and start scoring goals. There is no pressure on myself,” he continued.
“I am relaxed and laid back. What is meant to be is meant to be as long as I am scoring here.
“I have the Euro dates marked out. It is a long way off and there are games to play and goals to score before then. I take it step by step and look forward to Forest and getting on the score sheet again.”