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Eddie Howe admits England World Cup star could miss final Newcastle game

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has revealed that one of his key men jetting off to the World Cup next week could miss their final Premier League game before the tournament.

The Magpies will be well represented in Qatar with five senior players already confirmed to be heading to the showpiece event.

But speaking to the media before Chelsea’s visit to St James’ Park in the Premier League on Saturday, Howe revealed that star striker Callum Wilson has been training on his own due to an ongoing illness.

“We’ll wait and see. He’s been training separately from the group. He’s had an illness, so he’s been away from the group,” Howe said. “He’s been working well, but I need to make a decision on whether he’s fit enough to play.”

Wilson was taken off at half-time during Newcastle’s romping 4-1 win over Southampton – a result that ended Ralph Hasenhuttl’s spell in charge on the south coast.

Prior to that disappointment, the 30-year-old had been in good goalscoring for Newcastle, netting six goals in ten games to cover for the absence of injured summer signing Alexander Isak.

Wilson’s performances were enough to convince Gareth Southgate to name him in England’s 26-player squad for the World Cup, edging out the likes of Roma’s Tammy Abraham and Brentford’s Ivan Toney – a player many felt would be boarding the plane to Qatar.

Former Bournemouth striker Wilson earned the last of his four international caps in 2019, with a goal against United States currently his only strike at that level.

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