New fears emerge over Callum Wilson injury & fellow Mag also forced to withdraw

Callum Wilson’s thigh injury that saw him substituted in our 2-2 draw with Southampton could rule him out for this weekend’s clash with Man Utd.

According to the Shields Gazette, there are growing fears that the striker could be missing for a ‘number of weeks’, with Ryan Fraser’s fitness also a concern after the former Bournemouth star was forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad earlier today.

Our new no.9 required treatment in the game against The Saints but stayed on the field and bagged a goal before being withdrawn midway through the second half.

Steve Bruce admitted after the game that his injury was “niggling away at him” – a huge concern for a club that chose not to sign adequate cover in the summer and a comment that makes you question why on earth he was left on the field after pulling up in the first half.

If he really is set for a ‘number of weeks’ on the sidelines I will be absolutely spitting with rage, having been extremely vocal about the need for a backup striker in the event of another Wilson injury.

He spent large chunks of his first season here on the treatment table and we only won twice without him last year – against relegated Fulham and Sheff Utd in the final two games.

Bruce said in the summer that we have more than enough cover if Wilson gets injured and pointed towards Dwight Gayle as somebody to turn to.

Gayle has played in the top flight with us for four years now and has never shown any signs that prove he is cut out as a striker at this level.

As for Fraser, we’ll have to hope he’s not suffered another injury setback, with his first season at St James’ Park blighted by fitness issues.