Callum Wilson has refused to be drawn on talk Newcastle United could mount an unlikely challenge for the Premier League title. The Magpies currently sit third in the table following an impressive start to the season.
Eddie Howe's side have lost just once so far, and have climbed into the Champions League spots on the back of a run of six wins in their last seven matches. The Magpies could extend the gap over top-four rivals Chelsea to nine points with victory in their final fixture before the World Cup break.
League leaders Arsenal and champions Manchester City are seven and five points clear of Newcastle respectively, and both teams hold games in hand. However, United's momentum coupled with their capacity to invest further in the January transfer market has led some pundits to question whether they could battle for top spot.
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Wilson stressed there is a long way to go in the season, although he feels Newcastle's performances this term justify their current lofty status. The number nine believes the 'ruthless' display at Southampton despite potentially their 'worst performance' of the campaign is a sign of the team's ongoing development.
When asked about a title challenge, Wilson told the BBC's Footballer's Football Podcast: "Relax, relax, relax, relax, relax! Obviously we play to win at the end of the day, and the league table is speaking for itself on our performances.
"I don't think against Southampton we had our best game, it was probably one of our worst performances of the season. But we were clinical and ruthless, we had four shots on target and four goals.
"That's kind of where we're getting to. We're doing alright, we're turning a few teams over but it's a long season."
Pep Guardiola namechecked Newcastle as one of six clubs who could rival City for the title this term. Wilson was reluctant to directly address Guardiola's claim, but insists the Magpies will continue to ignore outside noise.
He added: "People are just trying to pass the pressure on to other people so it takes it off themselves. We focus on us, they will focus on them."
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