EDDIE Howe says Callum Wilson's latest Newcastle United injury setback is a "big blow" - but is hopeful the striker will play again this season.
Wilson was having surgery this morning on a pectoral muscle injury suffered late in last weekend's win at Nottingham Forest.
The injury will sideline Wilson for the majority of the remainder of the campaign but Howe says he'd "never write off" the striker, who will be desperate to get back as quick as possible to help Newcastle's cause and keep alive his hopes of being included in England's squad for the European Championships this summer.
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Howe said: “We hoped initially he could carry on – and he felt good, actually, Callum, felt functionally fine. He was moving his arm and had full strength.
"It was a strange injury. He got in a tussle with the centre-back at the end of the last match. But when he went to see a specialist, I think it was apparent quite early that he needed it operating on and I think he’s having that operation as we speak.”
He added: "It is no doubt a big blow for him.
"It's been a stop-start season for him. We hope he's back before the end of the season."
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