Eddie Howe pays tribute to Callum Wilson after the Newcastle striker’s newest damage setback… with star dealing with one other two months on sidelines to cap nightmare 12 months

Eddie Howe has revealed that Callum Wilson paid for some of his own treatment in a bid to overcome his injury issues, before suffering another setback this week.

Mail Sport broke the news on Wednesday that the striker is facing two months on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring during Newcastle’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford last weekend.

Wilson was just four substitute appearances into his comeback after four months out with a combination of back and hamstring complaints.

In that time, he travelled to the likes of the Aspire Academy in Doha to receive specialist treatment, and there was hope that what the player has called ‘an emotional rollercoaster’ was finally behind him.

However, Howe confirmed Wilson’s fresh injury on Friday, and expressed his sympathy for the nine-time capped England international.

‘I really feel for Callum,’ said the Newcastle boss. ‘We see the work, dedication and professionalism that he’s shown. For me, he’s an inspirational player.

‘You have to understand how difficult this season has been for him. He’s had a couple of setbacks when it looks like he’s so close to training and playing regularly. He has not cut corners. He has gone through a vigorous process to try and keep himself fit.

‘I’m talking about taking himself away from his family for long periods of time, to dedicate himself to no distractions, seeking the best specialist opinions in the world, that sometimes he’s paid for himself. So when you go to that level of dedication to give yourself the best chance to perform, to see him not get the end result this time, I feel really sad for him.

‘But I back him to come back again and have the mental resilience that he is going to need to fight again and fight hard. We know his qualities and we’re desperate to see him in a Newcastle shirt and scoring goals again.’

Wilson’s absence could now present a chance for Will Osula, the Norway Under-21 striker signed for £10million from Sheffield United in the summer.

Howe said: ’I don’t like using the word impossible (to replace Wilson in the transfer market), because I don’t believe in that, but it’s as close as you can get to it, because Callum has got the experience, know-how, all the things you need to deliver that, he’s one of the few people who can that’s available to us.

‘It’s a big blow but I’m trying to put a positive spin on this. I’ve seen this many times where you get an injury to someone and it opens the door for someone else in whatever capacity. Whether that is for Will Osula or for someone else to step forward to showcase their talent.

‘He (Osula) is going to have to step up and grab any opportunity that comes his way. He has all the attributes you need – I think supporters who have watched him play in the brief time that he’s played will have seen that he’s big, he’s very quick and he’s strong, there’s just a refinement that’s needed, and the only thing that can really bring that is time. But he’s certainly getting there.’

Meanwhile, Howe confirmed Mail Sport’s story that goalkeeper Nick Pope is struggling with a knee injury ahead of Saturday’s visit of Leicester.