'No injury': Eddie Howe now explains the absence of Callum Wilson from today's squad

Callum Wilson was suspiciously absent from the match day squad today as Newcastle United drew 1-1 with Brighton at St James' Park.

There were rumblings ahead of the reveal of the team news that Callum Wilson had picked up a hamstring injury and as a result wouldn't be involved in the game against Brighton.

While an injury to Wilson is rarely a shock to Newcastle fans, the fact that his one came so soon after returning from his last injury definitely caught the Toon Army off guard.

However, it turns out that things aren't as bad as first feared and we're likely to see Wilson again this season.

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Callum Wilson wasn't feeling 100% today

Today's game was one in which we really could have benefitted from having Wilson in the side. It was set up perfectly for a poacher of his quality as nothing else was going to come off for the attackers as our forwards continually made the wrong call at key moments.

Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, and after the game Eddie Howe told NUFC TV why Wilson wasn't in the squad.

"A little bit of illness for Callum, also he was feeling a little bit of tightness in his body so we didn't want to take any risks. But no injury so hopefully he'll be back very soon."

It must be time for Wilson to move on this summer

While the news isn't as bad as first feared, it's still hardly the best look for our number nine as the season draws to a close.

The rumours are that Wilson will be moved on in the summer, but Eddie Howe insists he wants to keep him around.

We honestly think it's time he is moved on. We've said it plenty of times before, we love Wilson, he's an excellent striker and his strike rate speaks for itself, but his injury record speaks louder and he could be the best finisher in the world, but if he's never fit enough to play, he's useless to us.