Journalist Craig Hope thinks that Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe should drop Callum Wilson from the starting XI.

The Verdict: Wilson struggling for goals

The Magpies forward has six goals and three assists so far in the Premier League, but he's hit a bit of a dry spell in recent times.

Wilson hasn't scored in Newcastle's last seven league matches, last netting against Aston Villa where he bagged a brace in a 4-0 victory at St James' Park back in October.

The Magpies' other option up front is Alexander Isak, who has played five league matches this season and hit the back of the net three times. While he netted the winner against Fulham earlier this month, he hasn't started in the Premier League since September.

The Latest: Wilson is 'struggling'

Following Newcastle's 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton, Hope spoke on his YouTube channel about Wilson and why he thinks the striker should be dropped.

He stated: "I think I'm prepared to commit to it now - I think he is struggling at the moment and I would take him out of the team.

"What do you do - do you leave him in the team to build fitness or do you take him out to give him a rest?

"I don't quite know the answer, and that's why Eddie Howe's manager and it's one he's got to work out."

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The Verdict: Isak's time to shine

We believe that Wilson is likely exhausted due to a number of factors, including injuries and illnesses, constant game time and his call-up to the England squad this past winter.

He's come under criticism for his recent performances, with pundit Tam McManus stating that he 'looks a bit off it' and that it's 'a matter of time' before Isak is picked ahead of him when speaking to Football Insider.

Given Isak was brought in for a club-record fee in the summer, it is perhaps not a surprise that he would eventually usurp Wilson in the starting XI. While Wilson's goal record still tops the Swede's, Isak certainly has youth on his side, and you would imagine that Howe and PIF would rather see their heavy outlay on the striker pay off than Wilson flourish if given the choice, regardless of his form.

It's Isak's time to get the nod from Howe in our opinion as he can perhaps offer the kind of dynamism in the forward position that he displayed in creating the winning goal against the Saints on a consistent basis on Tyneside.