Eddie Howe has revealed he does not expect to see Callum Wilson until the last "few games" of the season.
Wilson has spoken of his surprise that Newcastle did not sign a striker in the last throes of the January window and perhaps those comments now have more context after Howe's latest assessment on how close the former Bournemouth star is to a comeback.
The striker suffered a calf injury against Manchester United in December and has not played since.
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When asked about Wilson's current condition, Howe said today: "There's a time when he's due back but, as always with these type of injuries, it's not absolutely clear.
"I think we go more on how we feel than a specific time given by the physio or doctors.
"It's been slow progress for him since the initial injury.
"He was recently on crutches, he's come off them now and is walking normally, which is a big step.
"But I don't think it's going to be short term.
"Hopefully, he can make the last few games of the season and really help us in the key moment."
Howe said he was unsure if it was going to be April or May, and commented: "I don't know on time.
"We're taking it by symptoms rather than really giving it a time.
"With Callum's injury, it wasn't clear on the first scan quite what the injury was.
“I'll probably be better updating you further down the line as to a return date.
"At the moment, that's unclear."
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