Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Aaron Stokes

Howe sees Wilson 'negative' as Newcastle 'positive' as No 9 breaks Alan Shearer record

Callum Wilson's eight goals this April means he has scored now more Premier League goals in a single calendar month than any Newcastle United player in the competition's history, surpassing Alan Shearer's best of seven in September 1999.

Wilson, who helped himself to his third brace of the month in the 3-1 win over Southampton, has re-found his scoring touch after struggling to shake his post-World Cup troubles at the start of 2023. Wilson started on the bench for Sunday's win but was introduced at half-time before making an instant impact.

Wilson's stunning month in front of goal has Newcastle fans itching to see the Magpies No 9 and Alexander Isak deployed at the same time, from the outset. Something Eddie Howe has been reluctant to do this season unless his team are chasing the game after the interval.

READ MORE: Newcastle's top 'celebration' after Southampton taunt and Arsenal sent stadium warning - 5 things

Isak has notched double figures for Newcastle this term after shaking off an injury setback early in his Newcastle career. The Swede is also undroppable at present, which gives Howe food for thought.

Wilson dropped a subtle hint over Isak's natural ability to play out wide after the win at Everton on Thursday, with the ex-Bournemouth man seeing himself as a more natural central striker.

Howe believes Wilson may have seen Isak's £63m Tyneside arrival as a negative but it has proved useful to both Newcastle and the player himself. Wilson has avoided any serious injuries since Isak's arrival after having his minutes managed by Howe.

“I know Callum will probably see Alex’s signing as partly negative for him, because he’ll be wondering how many minutes he’s going to play, but I see it as all positive because it means we can be careful over his minutes," the Newcastle boss said after Sunday's win.

“In a three-game week previously, Callum would probably have played every game, and every minute of every game, and that might have meant he picked up an injury. So, we can manage him carefully.

"But what I would say is that in time where he has been managed, his attitude has been absolutely first class. That’s why he’s able to perform as he has.”

Isak is proving a natural in whichever position he plays, whether it be as a central striker, left winger or No 10. The club-record signing was deployed through the middle on Sunday as Anthony Gordon enjoyed his first St James' Park start.

The winger was dragged at half-time but Howe praised his efforts at full-time. The Toon boss has a wealth of options at present with his attacking outlets in top form.

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.