Eddie Howe says that Callum Wilson is facing a late fitness test ahead of the teatime clash with Chelsea at St James’ Park. The striker was taken off At Southampton for the 4-1 win on the South Cost last weekend due to an illness.
Since then he has trained in isolation but Howe will make a late call on the World Cup bound No 9. Howe, speaking at his Press conference, said: “We will wait and see and he’s been training separately from the group.
“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.”
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Howe was able to reflect on Wilson’s England call up for the first time. He admitted that he made no big deal of the call and bumped into Wilson in a corridor at the training ground just after the announcement.
Howe said: “It is an amazing thing for him individually and I’m sure for his family. Callum has had a difficult career it has not always been about successes. He has risen from the lower leagues and now to the national team squad at a World Cup.
“I think it’s been brilliant to witness at first hand for me. When you see how it’s achieved throughout consistency and work and a really positive attitude. Even when he first got injured his instinct was to come back better and then you put the work in to be better. It’s not just talk he’s got a way of scoring goals and a uniqueness about him.”
