Eddie Howe has confirmed that Callum Wilson is a fitness doubt ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. In his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, the Newcastle boss noted the striker had been training separately from the group after suffering from illness.
"We will wait and see [if he's available to face Chelsea], and he's been training separately from the group," Howe said. "He had the illness, and he's been away from the group. He's trained well, but we will make a decision ahead of tomorrow."
Wilson was taken off in last weekend's Southampton win due to the same illness as the Magpies won 4-1.
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The 30-year-old was selected for Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup in Qatar on Thursday afternoon, along with Newcastle peers Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier.
Chelsea face an in-form Newcastle side on Saturday evening who have won their last five games in all competitions, going into the game six points clear of Graham Potter's side.
Howe would be weakened without Wilson, who is Newcastle's second top scorer so far this season with six goals in 10 league appearances. Chelsea go into this game still without Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N'Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Graham Potter will likely provide the latest updates on any other injury updates in this afternoon's press conference.
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