Newcastle absolutely must sign a new striker this summer after latest news coming out of club

Eddie Howe's big striker plan - or lack thereof - for Newcastle United next season has already hit a major problem.

Ideally, Newcastle would like to cash in on Callum Wilson this summer given his age, injury record, and the fact that he has just 12 months remaining on his contract.

There has been interest in the 32-year-old so selling the striker was not beyond the realms of possibility, however, Eddie Howe was determined to keep the former Bournemouth man beyond the summer saying he'd be too expensive to replace.

However, with news coming out this morning that Wilson could now miss the start of the season through injury, this must surely send a message to Howe.

Callum Wilson is already a doubt for the season opener against Southampton

Craig Hope has reported that Callum Wilson has had a 'small procedure' on a back problem which puts him in doubt for the season opener in four weeks.

If Eddie Howe genuinely thinks he can rely on Callum Wilson as Alexander Isak's sole backup next season then he's absolutely delusional. The man missed 25 games last season and is already out of the first game of next season.

We hesitate to label him a liability because on those five days out of the season when he is fit, he's lethal in front of goal, but this is actually getting ridiculous now.

This latest setback will likely rule him out of a summer move too as nobody will be willing to take on an injured player.

Mr Mitchell, please go and find us a striker

We've been saying it since the end of last season, there is absolutely no way we can head into the new campaign with just Isak and Wilson as recognised strikers.

Even with James Bunce and his magic sponge, his super amazing injury fix isn't going to be overnight and now we're already going into the first game of the season with five players missing as Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and now Callum Wilson are all injured and Sandro Tonali still suspended.

So this is a plea to Paul Mitchell: Go and find us a striker. Get talking to Jonathan David and make that happen for the sake of our season.