Steve Bruce addresses Newcastle United outcast’s chances of replacing Callum Wilson vs Man City

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Steve Bruce has refused to confirm if Andy Carroll will be recalled to the Newcastle United squad to face Manchester City on Friday night after Callum Wilson’s hamstring injury, via quotes by The Shields Gazette.

Wilson has been ruled out of action for the Toon’s final three games of the Premier League season (nufc.co.uk) after sustaining a hamstring issue in the closing stages of the Magpies’ 4-2 win over Leicester City last week.

The former AFC Bournemouth striker, signed for £20million (BBC) in the summer, scored twice at the King Power Stadium for his first goals since returning from a previous hamstring tear, that ruled Wilson out for seven games.

Newcastle have failed to win any of their matches without Wilson since his arrival on Tyneside, with Bruce’s side beaten five times and claiming four draws including the 2-0 loss to Chelsea in November and a 2-0 defeat at Man City in December.

Joelinton led the Newcastle attack at the Etihad Stadium before being replaced by Carroll inside the final 20 minutes, but has not started either of United’s last two top-flight games.

Carroll has not started a Premier League game since January and has only played 16 minutes over a possible 16 matches since opening the action at Aston Villa, and Bruce has refused to confirm if it will be the nine-cap England striker, Joelinton or Dwight Gayle favoured on Friday.

“I’ve got various ones knocking on the door, Andy being one of them,” Bruce said. “Dwight Gayle’s another one. Joelinton’s another one. So, let’s hope I pick the right one. It’ll be a big, big ask against Man City.”

TBR’s view:

Friday night’s clash with Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions could be one of the final chances Carroll has to feature at St. James’ Park for Newcastle, with the striker set to be out of contract this summer and new terms seemingly unlikely (Northern Echo).

Carroll would surely like to be given the chance to play at home one last time either against the Sky Blues or Sheffield United on Wednesday, but Bruce’s decision over who replaces Wilson against Man City will go a long way to suggesting who also starts next week.

But it is probable that Bruce will ere on the side of Joelinton, having lauded the Brazilian for delivering his ‘best’ performance in black-and-white during the Toon’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month (Chronicle), after he scored one of just five career Premier League goals.