Callum Wilson misses Newcastle United’s clash vs Leicester City

The 30-year-old, who has scored six goals in the Premier League this season, was expected to start for Eddie Howe’s side against the Foxes.

But after announcing their line-up on Monday afternoon, Newcastle confirmed that their No.9 is ruled out due to an illness.

Chris Wood starts instead of Wilson in Newcastle’s attack, with £63 million summer signing Alexander Isak still out due to injury.

‘Callum unfortunately picked up an illness the last couple of days, so he hasn’t trained,’ Howe told Amazon Prime before the game.

‘He’s at home now with his family, fingers crossed he’ll be back very soon.

‘He’s such an important player for us but we have to adapt. We’ve been without him before, other people have stepped up and grown into the team. It’s an opportunity for Chris [Wood] today.

Asked about the possibility of playing Allan Saint-Maximin as a striker, Howe said: ‘I think that temptation is there, they are very different players.

‘I think in our thinking was Chris’ performance against Chelsea, which was outstanding, not just in possession but I think out of possession his pressing and work ethic that day really did help us, that was fresh in our minds.

‘I think Chris performed really well going back to the Rayo Vallecano game we had before coming back [to the Premier League season], he was excellent in that too.’

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