Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson will be disappointed that he has been unable to play a key role in the Magpies' change of fortunes, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Eddie Howe, who was appointed as the Tyneside giants' head coach last November, has guided the club away from the Premier League drop zone as an upturn in form has seen them pull nine points clear of the bottom three.

What's the latest news involving Wilson?

The Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund led a £305million takeover of Newcastle last October, resulting in them becoming the richest club in world football, and Wilson would have been hopeful of playing an integral role at the start of a new era.

However, the frontman has not featured since being forced off with a calf injury sustained against Manchester United just before the turn of the year.

Howe initially feared Wilson would be out of action for eight weeks, but the timescale of his rehabilitation period has been increased.

The Newcastle chief then revealed the former Bournemouth man, who joined in a £20million switch in 2020, would not be in contention for a place in the squad until 'the last few games of the season'.

According to The Telegraph, the 30-year-old is targeting a return to the fold when Crystal Palace visit St James' Park on April 20.

Do Chelsea fans want the impossible?!? Fallout from Ricketts controversy on The Football Terrace...

What has Keith Downie said about Wilson?

Downie believes Wilson is desperate to become a key member of the Newcastle squad following a change of ownership and management in recent months.

The Sky Sports reporter feels the striker will be struggling to cope with being unable to make an impact during their revival, which has seen them climb away from the relegation zone.

When asked about the Magpies' new era, Downie told GIVEMESPORT: "Callum Wilson, especially, will want to be part of that. You can feel and see his love for the club.

"It will really be getting him down, the fact that he is not involved in it."

Has Wilson been a big miss for Newcastle?

Newcastle have coped admirably in Wilson's absence as they have suffered just two Premier League defeats since his most recent outing.

The Magpies have failed to score on just two occasions in that time, but there is no doubting that Wilson's firepower would be missed by any side.

Over the course of 43 appearances since his move from Bournemouth, the four-cap England international has found the back of the net 18 times, underlining his threat in the final third of the pitch.