Main cause explained why the 32-year-old forward Callum Wilson missed Newcastle United’s defeat vs. Brighton Premier League match on Saturday

Newcastle United lost 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion at St. James’ Park, making it seven hours of football without a goal from open play.

Alexander Isak came back after missing three games with an illness, but he couldn’t convert any of his chances, and Newcastle failed to score in a Premier League game at St. James’ Park for the first time in 23 games. Also, it was the Magpies’ first loss at home since January.

Newcastle needed goals in this game, but striker Callum Wilson didn’t show up because he had been working all week. Head coach Eddie Howe also said Wilson was “close” to playing against Brighton, but the club decided to give him more time to heal after not playing in a league game for five months.

Howe said, “He’s close, he’s trained, and he looked great, but we have to make a decision based on what’s best for Callum in the long run, and we don’t want to push him too soon.” “This week, let’s see how he does.”

Next Sunday, Newcastle plays Chelsea in the Premier League. A few days later, they meet Chelsea at St. James’ Park in the Carabao Cup. Wilson has been out with back and hamstring problems for most of the season, so he will likely be expected to make at least a matchday team by the end of the month.

Howe added, “It will be huge to have Wilson back.” “You can see [vs. Brighton] that if we had a fit and firing Callum Wilson, whether he started the game or came off the bench, it would have helped us.”

“Not just the player, but also the player’s character and his ability to lead.”