Eddie Howe has confirmed that Newcastle United will be without Callum Wilson for EIGHT weeks following further scans on his calf injury yesterday.
Our No 9 and current top scorer was a big miss in today’s crushing 1-0 defeat to Cambridge in the FA Cup, with us clearly lacking that striker’s instinct in and around the box.
The NUFC boss has also revealed the the new owners came into the dressing room after the game in a show of unity to the staff and players.
Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was spotted in the stands alongside Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Majed Al Sorour; the CEO of Golf Saudi.
They won’t have been impressed, sadly, however this could only intensify the club’s search for new recruits, with the signing of a striker and centre-back seeming essential ahead of next Saturday’s must-win clash with Watford.
Here’s confirmation of the Callum Wilson blow, followed by Howe’s comments on the dressing room visit, the game itself and his hopes in the transfer window:
Howe on speaking to our new owners after the game:
“They popped in. They were very supportive.
“I can’t thank them enough for that. This has to be a united effort, and that showed we are in this together.”
Howe on today’s performance:
“We are desperately disappointed. We really prepared well for this game, and we played a very strong team.
“But ultimately, we found a goalkeeper in superb form and a team that defended for their lives, and we couldn’t break them down.”
“I thought we played OK. And that may get me a few funny looks, but we created a number of opportunities, the attitude, feeling and body language was good. The longer we went without a goal affected us.
‘We did have some good moments, but we lacked that killer instinct that every team needs.
“Then, when you don’t put the game to bed, there’s always a chance you leave yourself open, and, unfortunately, one of those moments cost us the game.”
Howe on future signings:
“We would love to [make more signings].
“I think you can see what Kieran did to the team. The response to him was first class.
“New signings at this moment would breathe new confidence into the team. So, fingers crossed.”
