Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that striker Callum Wilson is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he requires a pectoral muscle operation.
Wilson was handed his first start of 2024 in the Magpies' 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, but he was seen in some discomfort towards the end of the contest and used his shirt to put his arm in a temporary sling.
Howe initially thought that Wilson had sustained a shoulder injury after a battle with a Forest defender, but the 31-year-old has instead pulled a pectoral tendon which requires surgery following a scan.
Wilson is expected to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks and is facing a race against time to return before the end of the season, while his chances of representing England at Euro 2024 are also at risk.
Speaking about Newcastle's No.9 at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League home clash with Bournemouth, Howe said: "It was a really strange injury, getting in a tussle with the centre-back right at the end of the game. Initially, from my view, I thought he'd hurt his shoulder but it was a muscle in his pec so we had it scanned.
"We hoped he could carry on and he felt good. He was moving his arm at full strength but when he went to see a specialist, it was apparent quite early on that he needed it operated on and he's having that as we speak.
"It's no doubt a big blow to him because I think he's looking at various things. His first priority has always been Newcastle and he feels it has been a stop start season for him. He takes that burden of being one of our two strikers very seriously and he's desperate to do well and score goals.
"He was very disappointed in that perspective and he had England on the horizon as well so we hope he'll be back before the end of the season."
Wilson is not the only Newcastle striker nursing an injury, as Howe has also revealed that Alexander Isak is unlikely to return this weekend as he continues to recover from a groin issue which has forced him to miss the last two games.
However, Isak is making progress in his recovery along with midfielder Joe Willock, who has been sidelined since mid-November with a calf problem.
"Alex is probably not ready for the weekend, but he is very close and looking really good. I am really pleased with his progress," said Howe.
"Like Alex, Joe is very close too, he is knocking on the door and looking good and feeling much better. He is another huge player for us that we are desperate to get back."
Both Matt Targett and Elliot Anderson have also spent lengthy spells in the treatment room with respective hamstring and back injuries, but Howe has confirmed that the Newcastle duo are closing in on a return to training.
"Matt Targett's in a very similar position to Elliot Anderson, working very closely together and they're due to be training very soon, hopefully within the next ten days," Howe added.
Elsewhere on the injury front, goalkeeper Nick Pope is still recovering from a shoulder problem sustained in early December, while Sandro Tonali (suspension) remains unavailable for selection.
Newcastle, who currently sit seventh in the Premier League table and five points behind Manchester United in sixth, will be seeking revenge against Bournemouth this weekend after losing 2-0 to the Cherries in the reverse fixture three months ago.
