Callum Wilson has vowed to get his new teeth into Burnley.
The Newcastle striker had his front tooth knocked out against Arsenal during a combative performance in the 2-0 win. But he was back in training yesterday… complete with new front biter as if nothing had happened.
He has been branded vain by his mates for getting it fixed so quickly, but wanted to look his best for the trip to Turf Moor and his personal bid to score his first goal since a four-month lay off. Wilson played on with the tooth injury, and seemed to be refusing to smile so as not to reveal his misfortune to the world. But his bent back tooth, later removed, has already been broadcast on TV, as he got treatment, and made millions of viewers wince.
Wilson said: “I have got my tooth sorted! My mouth is swollen and bruised and it was part of the game. I am not that bothered! Some people have said you are vain for getting it done straight away but when your front tooth is not in the right place anyone would go the next day!”
Wilson says Newcastle have bounced back from being “written off” to a squad targeting a top ten finish this weekend. They have won 11 of their last 17 games after having just one win on January 20th. Wilson’s return adds to Newcastle’s threat and after £94m of spending in January, he said: “We brought players into the squad in January and there is a good team environment and everyone is together.
“There are a lot more chances there for a striker and next season is going to be a good one. Everyone wrote us off and we have proved people wrong week in week out. We can finish top half of the table and what a statement of intent that would be for next season.
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“We have one more important game. We can finish higher up the league, Burnley are fighting relegation. There is a lot riding on it. It won’t fizzle out. We will try to do a job. We thank the fans for the atmosphere they have created. Everyone said it was a sleeping giant and it seems it is awake now. The takeover has breathed life into the city and the football club.
“We have run ourselves into the ground for the cause. It was an unbelievable atmosphere at St James’ Park. When we heard it and walked out to it it made hair stand up and gave you butterflies in a good way. The thought of playing in the Championship… this club is Premier League and we had to show that. We have managed to get results. I watched for a while on the sidelines and was so excited to get back out amongst it. I want to score. We can finish in the top ten. We have to focus on ourselves. It will be hostile and we have to thrive under that and silence them.”
