In Focus: Wilson can spearhead Toon's title bid next season

Callum Wilson has been fit and firing for Newcastle this season as they close in on a Champions League spot for 2023-24.

The 31-year-old has bagged 17 goals in 28 Premier League appearances and only four players have managed to score more than him this term.

If the England ace can remain fit, he may be first in line to help the Magpies mount a title bid under Eddie Howe next term.

Ahead of their clash with Brighton on Thursday, we turn the spotlight on the six-cap international.

Age is just a number

Wilson may be past the peak of his physical condition but he is in the form of his life and is showing no signs of slowing down.

With 11 goals in his last nine appearances, the Coventry-born talisman is putting on a goalscoring clinic that the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland would be proud of.

Last season, Wilson missed 20 league games through injury but still managed to net eight times for the Tyneside club as they cantered to safety following their takeover.

But the 2022-23 campaign has been a different story for the ex-Bournemouth man, who has only missed six games in the Premier League this season and is six goals clear of Miguel Almiron as Newcastle's top scorer.

Fending off the competition

Alexander Isak's arrival from Real Sociedad in the summer could have spelt the end for Wilson as the Toon's leading man but he has instead fended off the Swede's attempts to displace him from the starting XI.

The 23-year-old has been used as more of a winger and has bagged 10 times during his first season — eight fewer than the No9.

And head coach Howe — who worked with Wilson at Bournemouth — has praised his finisher's flawless attitude when fighting for his place.

He said: "He is very focused at the moment. He knows he has to be because of the competition he has around him.

"He is someone that the squad needs to be positive because he is such a big personality within it."

Making it count

Wilson has found the net with 17 of his 32 shots on target, highlighting the forward's clinical nature in the final third.

Most of his goals have come from inside the box but that has not stopped the striker from rifling three of his efforts in from outside of the penalty area, including a stunning effort in a 4-1 win over Everton in April.

But the former Coventry star is also doing his best to provide for the team, creating 20 chances and tallying four assists for the Champions League chasers.

Wilson has had almost half the amount of shots as Mohamed Salah this season but remains within touching distance of him on the goalscoring charts, only further demonstrating his unique quality in the box. 

A new beginning

Wilson was a notable name who remained at Newcastle following their takeover last year and he has already repaid Howe's faith in him.

The upcoming transfer window is likely to be another huge one for the Magpies as they look to continue their spending as they seek to compete with Manchester City next season.

It remains unclear whether the club will look to bring in another forward player, but Wilson only has one year remaining on his current deal at St James' Park.

Regardless, the 5ft 11in finisher has proven that he can have an impact against the top teams in the division and would be a worthy pick for Newcastle's inevitable title bids in the coming years.