Alex McLeish has dropped a claim on Newcastle United losing Callum Wilson to injury after news that he is reportedly confident of playing against Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Rangers and Aston Villa manager admitted that losing the former AFC Bournemouth ace was a sucker punch for Steve Bruce and also warned that he would need time to get back up to the speed of things when he does return onto the pitch for the St. James' Park faithful:
“Steve will be having sleepless nights having lost guys like that.
“It’s the little pieces of building a football team and getting the jigsaw to perfection. It took Jurgen Klopp three-and-a-half years, maybe four, for him to do it. Steve Bruce has maybe dabbled a little bit but that’s what we’re saying.
“We’re talking about top players and when a club like Newcastle, fighting against relegation, lose a player like Callum Wilson. That is then a tough sleepless few days for Steve Bruce until he gets fit again.
“I’m not saying he’s going to come back and produce the magic. Having been injured, he’s probably got to find his pace again. In saying that, it does cost you, I’m afraid, when you lose your best players.”
Newcastle have missed Wilson
The North East club have clearly missed what Wilson brings to the team given their perilous position near the bottom of the table in the Premier League.
The England international currently tops the charts for the Tyneside club in terms of both goals and assists in the top flight so far in the 2020/21 season, with 10 and five respectively, (Whoscored).
His goals could well be vital in trying to keep the Magpies up, as the Toon will dread to think what would happen to them if he were to find himself injured again.
Nonetheless, if he is declared to fit to play against Spurs on Sunday afternoon, it will come as a very welcome boost to all of those associated with NUFC.
In other news, find out what inside claim Rob Lee has dropped on Bruce here!