Newcastle United confirm grim striker news for Chelsea and Arsenal clashes

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has not suffered a fresh injury - but will still miss the Magpies' decisive three-game week.

United take on Chelsea twice in both the Premier League and Carabao Cup before a powder-keg home encounter with Arsenal at St James' Park. Wilson won't be involved in any of those games which will add strain to the squad on Alexander Isak who may be asked to play in all three of the games.

Speaking at his pre-match Chelsea Press conference, Newcastle chief Howe said: "We’re going to lose Callum for the next three games. He’s just had some tightness and felt he hasn’t been able to kick on to the last part. He’s got no injury of such, he just isn’t ready to come back yet.

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"He has trained with us and looked really good but will Callum and Alexander Isak they are hypersensitive to any reaction to the work. It is no injury as such he is just not ready to come back."

Howe also revealed at his morning Press conference that Newcastle would also be keeping a close eye on Blyth lad Dan Burn who suffered an ankle knock last week against Brighton.

He said: "I don't think we have any fresh problems. Dan Burn was nursing an ankle last week, but he managed to play the game, of course, and played well."

As Howe looks to ensure he takes no risks with the players he does have available, Chelsea are the polar opposite to Newcastle with choices aplenty. Enzo Maresca can make 11 changes to his side and has Cole Palmer primed for Sunday's game after a complete rest in the easy 4-1 win in Athens against Panathinaikos.

Howe said: "They have real strength in depth. They are beginning to stabilise now in the sense of you can see consistency in their team selection. Credit to them for bringing in a really good manager that has brought in that tactical structure. He is very clever with what he does. We know the next two games are going to be very challenging."

Speaking about Maresca and the challenge in front of him, Howe said: "I think he's very clever with what he does. He's got a clear view how he wants the team to play and hugely impressed at Leicester last year. Now he's come to Chelsea, which is not an easy job.

"There are no easy jobs in the Premier League but he has stamped his authority on the team. They're already playing in the manner that he wants."