Newcastle's January transfer plan after injury blow as Sandro Tonali talk dismissed

NEWCASTLE United won't change their January transfer plans despite being rocked by the latest Callum Wilson injury setback.

After just four substitute appearances following a four-month lay-off, Wilson is now facing another stretch on the sidelines with the striker having suffered a fresh hamstring injury.

The latest setback, revealed by Mail Online this week, will result in Wilson potentially missing as many as 11 matches in a crunch period of the season, with the 32-year-old not expected to be ready to return until mid-February.

It raises fresh questions over the future of the striker, whose current contract is due to expire at the end of this season. It's now going to be extremely difficult for Wilson to play his way to a new deal given his lack of football. He hasn't started a game this season and has played just 57 Premier League minutes after suffering a back injury in the summer.

What the latest setback rules out, however, is any prospect of Newcastle trying to sell Wilson in January rather than him leaving on a free next summer.

Despite the fresh injury blow, the Magpies aren't expected to change their approach to the winter window, with a right winger still the leading priority. Ideally, Newcastle would also like to add a centre-half following the failed summer pursuit of Marc Guehi, but Eddie Howe has repeatedly stressed that United will again be limited by PSR restrictions.

He said recently: "I think there is a desire from everyone at the club to deliver that [a new signing]. But then you have to go to the realities of what is possible."

Despite the Wilson blow, Howe and Newcastle's recruitment team are believed to think right wing, which has proved problematic all season, is still a bigger priority than up-front, where Alexander Isak is first choice and Anthony Gordon had deputised this season. Howe also has Will Osula to call upon, though the striker has been a fringe figure this season with Howe looking to the future with the summer recruit.

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Wilson's latest injury setback is devastating for the striker who went to great lengths to try and ensure he was in top condition for his return to action.

He said: "Nobody likes to get injured, you try your best and nobody can guarantee anything but I think to get to this point in my career with the setbacks I've had I have to give myself credit for keeping bouncing back. But it's about not having to now."

Pressed further on what he'd done, Wilson said: "Just lots of different things. I've seen a lot of specialists, different analysis into the body, how you run, how you move, how you sleep, how you eat to put an end to the setbacks you have to go through."

Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali's agent has been quick to dismiss speculation claiming the midfielder is unhappy at Newcastle.

Reports emerged this week claiming Tonali was keen to return to Italy.

But his agent Giuseppe Riso said: "Sandro is absolutely not considering to return in Serie A.

"He’s happy at Newcastle, happy to play in the best league in the world and he’s an idol for Newcastle fans who’ve always supported Sandro in every moment."