Newcastle United have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash against Southampton.

What's the latest?

In recent comments cited by The Mirror, Eddie Howe revealed that Callum Wilson could be ruled out of action for a number of months after the centre-forward picked up a calf injury during the Magpies' 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday evening.

Speaking about the England international's injury, Howe said: "Callum's injury looks severe - weeks, maybe months. I feared for him when he went down with nobody around him. A pull."

Howe will be furious

Considering just how important a part of the Newcastle side Wilson has become since his £20m move from AFC Bournemouth back in September 2020, the news that the 29-year-old could be sidelined for a number of months is sure to have left Howe furious.

Indeed, over his 26 Premier League appearances for the Magpies last season, the £18m-rated man scored 12 goals, registered five assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £92k-per-week forward earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.99, ranking him as Newcastle's second-best performer in the top flight of English football last time out.

The striker has continued this fine goal-scoring form over his 15 league outings in the current campaign, bagging six goals and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.79 - ranking him as Howe's third-best player in the Premier League so far this season.

As such, should Newcastle indeed be without the services of Wilson for a number of months, it would undoubtedly come as a major blow to the Magpies' chances of avoiding relegation come next May - an outcome that would be disastrous for everyone involved with the club.

In other news: PIF could land Howe the next Puyol as NUFC prepare £17m offer for "world-class" 28 y/o