EDDIE HOWE insists he retains complete faith in Callum Wilson, with the striker set to retain his place in Newcastle United’s starting side for this evening’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Southampton.

Wilson’s last goal came back in October, when he scored twice in the 4-0 home win over Aston Villa, and the England international has now gone 11 matches for club and country without finding the back of the net.

Alexander Isak scored the winner in this month’s narrow home victory over Fulham and also came off the bench to set up Joelinton’s decisive strike in last week’s semi-final first-leg success at St Mary’s, but the Swede has still found himself consigned to the substitutes’ bench with Howe preferring to stick with Wilson in his starting line-up.

That situation is unlikely to change tonight as Newcastle try to secure a place in their first Wembley final since 1999, with Howe retaining complete faith in Wilson’s attacking abilities.

“Callum has had limited training time recently,” said the Magpies head coach. “This week has probably been the first week’s full training since the World Cup.

“Any player, to be at his very best, has to train consistently, so we are really pleased with him this week. I have always backed Callum, historically, to score goals. He thrives and lives for them, so I have never doubted the player.”

Howe is expected to name an unchanged line-up this evening, which would mean Joelinton continuing on the left of the Newcastle attack, with Allan Saint-Maximin once again on the bench.

New signing Anthony Gordon is ineligible as he has already played for Everton in this season’s Carabao Cup, but the 21-year-old will be watching on from the St James’ Park stands.

“I think it’ll be a really useful experience for him, to sample the atmosphere,” said Howe. “It’s a totally different experience when you’re watching from the stands than it is to be playing, but it will give him an idea of what’s in store for him.”


Newcastle (probable, 4-2-3-1): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.