New injury blow rocks striker Cal
CALLUM Wilson picked up an injury which forced him off in the 2-2 draw against Southampton.
The Newcastle United number nine had netted his 14th goal in 27 appearances since arriving for £20million from AFC Bournemouth last summer before sustaining a thigh problem against Southampton.
After the game, head coach Steve Bruce was asked whether he was a concern looking ahead to the fixtures after the international break.
He said: “Like a lot of clubs keeping your big players fit is key.
“Unfortunately, Callum is carrying a niggle at the minute.
“So we will try to do our best to keep him fit.
“We don’t know how bad it is until we assess him but he has a thigh strain - we will see how he is in the week.”
The Toon striker was not called up to the England squad for the fixtures against Hungary, Andorra and Poland in Warsaw as the Three Lions get on with their World Cup qualifying programme.
Despite disappointment on the international front, the positive news is Wilson will be able to rest up over the next fortnight ahead of the testing trip to Old Trafford.
■RALPH Hassenhuttl believes his Southampton side “absolutely deserved” a point at St. James’ Park.
He said: “In the past we have played good games here and never taken anything.
“I don’t know why, it was always running against us.
“In this game we absolutely deserved a point. What we have not done is to win because we had chances, especially first half.”