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Jermaine Jenas was full of praise for striker Callum Wilson on Tuesday despite the fact his Newcastle United side suffered a defeat in the Premier League.

Newcastle were beaten at St James’ Park 2-1 by Crystal Palace, which means they’ve lost six of seven league games in 2021.

The Magpies went ahead through a very early goal and Wilson was influential with a clever assist into the path of Jonjo Shelvey.

Wilson, 28, has been influential during his first season with the Toon so far and his intelligence has seen him set up five assists already in 22 games across all competitions.

The £46,000-a-week star was mainly signed for his goals though and he’s delivered 10 in return so far.

Pundit and ex-Newcastle midfielder Jenas was left waxing lyrical about the centre-forward after his latest contribution.

“I thought he was very good throughout the whole game,” Jenas told BT Sport 2 (10:30pm, 2 February).

“They just need to kind of get the ball to him as much as possible. He’s a player that sets the tone at the top end of the pitch.

“I thought he always looked sharp as the game went on, whether he was running in channels, his hold up play was always very neat and tidy. He looked dangerous when the ball was coming in the box.”

TBR’s View:

Newcastle desperately needed a new frontman this season and have found an excellent one in Wilson, who was a proven talent from his time at Bournemouth.

He’s an all-action attacker that can do the ugly side of the game with his aggressive defending, strong hold up play and unselfish running.

But he comes alive around the penalty box with such clever movement and is a clinical finisher, which is why plenty want him back in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.