"I love playing for this club" - £20m man quizzed on Newcastle future after West Ham defeat
by Olly Hawkins · 26 November 2024, 17:05
Callum Wilson has declared his "love" for Newcastle United and how much he "wants to be part of it" moving forward - but admits staying fit and scoring goals will be key to his future at St James' Park.
The 32-year-old made his first appearance of the season in the second half of last night's 2-0 defeat to West Ham, but questions remain around his fitness and place in Eddie Howe's plans as he approaches the final six months of his contract at the club.
Speaking to the i's Mark Douglas after the match, Wilson made it pretty clear that he's keen to sign an extension on Tyneside, although the report does state that no talks have taken place as of yet over an extension.
Asked about his future and a potential new deal, Wilson said: “I’m not thinking about it to be honest. You can only focus on the current situation – that, first and foremost, was getting fit and from there you build on that. Stay fit, score your goals and then it’s down to the club on how things progress and like I say, as a striker you score goals and get yourself longevity don’t you?"
“I love playing for this club, I joined many years ago and helped the club numerous times throughout the years and I want to be a part of it.
“It’s about getting going and getting out there – as long as I’m on the pitch I have no doubt I’ll score goals but it’s about staying on the pitch.”
Wilson then discussed the work he's done and continues to do to make sure he does not suffer another injury setback after a back/hamstring issue plagued his pre-season and the first 11 games of the 2024/25 season:
“I’ve done a lot of analysis into the body, changed a lot of things and hopefully now put an end to the setbacks. I’ve seen a lot of specialists, done different analysis of 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.
“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 [do that] now."
A one-year extension has been touted, but that only feels possible if Wilson stays fit over the next six months. When injury-free, he scores goals and is never lacking in self belief, but his availability must improve over the remainder of the season if he's to be retained.
