EDDIE HOWE hailed Callum Wilson’s match-winning contribution from the substitutes’ bench during yesterday’s 3-1 win over Southampton – and claimed the arrival of Alexander Isak has enabled him to keep Newcastle United’s number nine in prime condition in the latter stages of the season.

Despite having scored a brace in Thursday night’s win at Everton, Wilson found himself on the substitutes’ bench as Newcastle hosted the Saints and was forced to watch on as Stuart Armstrong’s first-half strike led to the Magpies trailing at the break.

He was introduced as a half-time replacement for Anthony Gordon, and claimed two more goals as Newcastle turned things around to strengthen their grip on Champions League qualification. If the Magpies win three of their remaining five matches, they will now be guaranteed a top-four finish.

Wilson would have had a hat-trick yesterday had another strike not been ruled out by a lengthy VAR call, and while he might well have been disappointed at his omission from the starting side, the England international walked off the field with a broad smile on his face.

“Callum was exceptional,” said Howe, whose next game will see them host second-placed Arsenal. “He changed the game for us. First and foremost, he comes on with the right attitude, as he always does. He’s got that desire to score, for the team and for himself as well, and he could have had a hat-trick. It was an outstanding display from Callum.

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“We’ve had discussions and talks (about him coming in and out of the team), but there’s been no bending the ear. I know he’s desperate to play every minute of every game, but I do think I have a duty to manage him as well and make sure that he stays fit for as long as possible because when he is fit and playing, and doing what he did today, I don’t think there’s anyone better. I’m delighted for him.”

In previous seasons, a lack of viable attacking alternatives has meant Wilson has had to start pretty much every game when he has been fit, a scenario that is no doubt a factor in his chequered injury record.

This term, the club-record signing of Isak has enabled Howe to limit Wilson’s workload, enabling the 31-year-old to remain fresh and injury-free. The Magpies head coach is yet to start with both forwards in the same team, although it will not have escaped his attention that Newcastle’s best spells in yesterday’s game and Thursday’s win at Everton both came when Isak and Wilson were playing in tandem in the final third.

“It absolutely helps not having to play Callum in every game,” said Howe. “I know Callum will probably see Alex’s signing as partly negative for him, because he’ll be wondering how many minutes he’s going to play, but I see it as all positive because it means we can be careful over his minutes.

“In a three-game week previously, Callum would probably have played every game, and every minute of every game, and that might have meant he picked up an injury. So, we can manage him carefully. But what I would say is that in time where he has been managed, his attitude has been absolutely first class. That’s why he’s able to perform as he has.”