Some Newcastle United fans have called for Callum Wilson to be sold in the summer transfer window after Eddie Howe confirmed the forward could miss until the final few games of the season.
The 29-year-old picked up a calf injury in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on December 27 and isn't expected to return until at least late April with a long-term problem.
It's a concern for the Magpies, who failed in their pursuit of Hugo Ekiteke on deadline day, and will have to rely on Chris Wood and Dwight Gayle as their only two senior strikers in the squad.
Allan Saint-Maximim has often featured as the lone no.9 this season, but Wood is set to lead the line in Wilson's absence as he recovers from this calf issue.
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Despite scoring 18 goals in 39 appearances since joining from Bournemouth in 2020, Wilson has been unavailable for a total of 24 matches and has struggled with a number of injuries.
Howe's latest update has sparked plenty of reaction from Newcastle supporters on social media, with some fans admitting that Wilson may have to leave the club in the summer due to his injury record.
Here is what some had to say on social media.
@NUFCblogcouk : Must say, the fact we knew Callum Wilson was making such slow progress makes our failure to sign another striker (even on loan) a baffling & potentially devastating decision. Huge pressure on Wood to deliver & ASM to stay fit
@Michael_Hall96 : I just don’t understand how a professional athlete can be injured as much as Wilson is. Definitely time to sell him in the summer for a more reliable striker #nufc
@MagpieChannel_ : Wilson out until last few games is very worrying. Owners tried Ekitike & Lingard, should've had backup options, relying on Wood for goals then if he gets injured it's Gayle. Feeling negative but this could prove costly. Positive note, Dan Ashworth brilliant appointment! #NUFC
@KevHutch: I can’t imagine Eddie Howe didn’t know the extent of Callum Wilson’s injury during the transfer window, so I’m assuming that every effort was made to bring a forward in. We didn’t / couldn’t. Move on. Get behind the lads. We’ve got enough to stay up #NUFC
@Danielwoodward6 : I'm slightly concerned about the Callum Wilson news and considering we didn't get another striker in could be a risky few months for #nufc
@LooizAllan : Wilson being out for majority of season is heart dropping. We need to loan a striker. @NUFC #nufc
@callumwright90 : No Callum Wilson until the end of the season… we need to seriously contemplate Diego Costa or another CF free agent quickly. #nufc
@ShaneoNUFC : Call me crazy but Callum Wilson needs to be sold in the next window #NUFC
@TFMick1892 : If as is now feared Wilson is out for the season, it is baffling we didn’t sign another striker in January
@ToonMouthTyne : That Wilson news has really annoyed me.
