da aposte e ganhe： Bruce had alluded to Wilson nearing a return to fitness before the international break, but he had not improved enough for consideration for Saturday’s shambolic 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
da leao： Newcastle come out of the pause in domestic fixtures with a tough trip to Tottenham, and they will then face Burnley, West Ham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester City before two crucial six-pointers with Sheffield United and Fulham.
Wilson returning to feature in north London would come as a huge boost for Bruce, who has missed the England forward’s creativity in recent weeks, having lost not only his top-scorer but also the Toon’s lead creator with five league assists.
Goals have come few and far between for Newcastle since beating Southampton at the start of last month, with the Tyneside outfit only netting three times in their past six games.
Points have been just as challenging for the Magpies to secure in that period, with three from a possible 18, to extend the side’s torrid form to two wins in 18 Premier League fixtures.
Bruce will hope to see Wilson’s seemingly imminent return inspire a turn of form that will keep the St. James’ Park natives in the top-flight for another year, as Dwight Gayle and Joelinton have failed to carry the burden with Andy Carroll out of favour.
After cutting an invisible figure on the periphery against Aston Villa, Gayle was an unused substitute against Brighton beside Carroll, who has only featured for three minutes in Newcastle’s last five games combined.
That’s despite Joelinton being fielded on the wing at the Amex Stadium, where Gayle and Carroll stormed down the tunnel at the full-time whistle and did not reappear for the post-game workout, per the Daily Mail.
Bruce clearly does not feel the trio of forwards are able to lead the line like Wilson can, making the striker’s return – however soon it will be – vitally important.
AND in other news, Newcastle are ready to bring a “special” talent back to St. James’ for eight-times what they sold him for…