EDDIE Howe believes Newcastle United can keep Callum Wilson fit as the striker nears his latest return from injury - and insists the frontman's best days on Tyneside aren't behind him.

Wilson was limited to just nine Premier League starts last season and hasn't yet kicked a ball this term after suffering a back injury in the summer that required surgery.

There's no doubting Wilson's quality but the question is whether the Newcastle striker's body can hold up to the demands of regular action, with his time on Tyneside disrupted by several setbacks.

Howe admits he "can't guarantee" this current lay-off will be Wilson's last, but he insists he's confident the Magpies can keep the striker fit and that he'll be "effective in the Premier League" this season.

Howe is hoping Wilson will be in contention to return to action when Newcastle face Brighton after the international break, with United feeling the effects of their striker shortage in the stalemate at Everton at the weekend.

With Alexander Isak also missing at Goodison Park, Anthony Gordon led the line but endured a frustrating Everton return and missed a first half penalty.

Howe hopes to welcome back both Wilson and Isak next week - and is backing the former to put his frustrations behind him.

Asked whether he believes Wilson can stand up to the rigours of regular Premier League football, Howe said: “Yes, I do. I believe in our medical team and in our sport science team and how we work.

"I believe we can keep him fit but with the best will in the world, you can never predict. But I believe we can get him fit, keep him fit and he will be effective in the Premier League for us, hopefully for some period of time to come.

"But there is no guarantee on that, I can’t make promises that we have no control of, but I see no reason why we can’t.

"He has everything he needs here and there is the same desire from the player, when you have that desire from the player, he will continue to score goals for us."

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Wilson's current Newcastle contract is due to expire at the end of the season but Howe insists the striker is as hungry as ever and wants to show his best days on Tyneside aren't in the past.

He said: "Without a doubt. If you know Callum personally you'll know how highly motivated he is.

"It was one of the most impressive things when I first met him. It seems a long time ago but I saw a really driven individual with really high expectations of himself. This was when we first came together in the Championship, since then his career has gone from strength to strength.

"He's not someone to ever settle or ever think middle ground. He's got an elite brain and wants to be his best everyday. He wants to play, score goals, that's what he lives for. All those motivations are still running through him really strongly."