Callum Wilson injury update arrives ahead of Saturday's clash with Chelsea - Next 48 hours key?

Last week, The Athletic reported that scans had suggested Callum Wilson's hamstring injury was NOT serious - but didn't know if he'd be fit enough to feature in Saturday's clash with Chelsea.

Now, The Chronicle's Mark Douglas has shared a mini update on the striker's current condition - and it's relatively positive.

Although it remains to be seen if Wilson will come through training in the coming 48 hours, he reports that Newcastle are hopeful he'll be fit for Saturday's early kick off at St James' Park.

Douglas states that the former Bournemouth star did NOT train with the team last week, but insists the club are optimistic he'll be ready for 12.30pm Saturday.

That said, he describes the next few days as 'pivotal', with Steve Bruce likely to need a day or two of convincing training sessions from the 28-year-old before he feels able to throw him in from the start against Frank Lampard's free-scoring Blues.

As we saw last season with Saint-Maximin, it can quickly backfire if you rush a players return from a hamstring injury, so it's vital Bruce makes the right call this weekend.

It's hard to imagine us posing enough of a threat without our top scorer and talisman, however I'd rather see him miss out on Saturday and return at Palace when he's 100% fit, than him be risked this weekend and end up missing the busy festive period and cup quarter final at Brentford.

With training photos set to be release tomorrow, it'll be interesting to see if he's back in the fold or not - something that will be a big indicator towards his potential involvement this weekend.

Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE