Callum Wilson provides teasing injury update as he lashes out at 'pathetic' Newcastle United critic

Newcastle United star Callum Wilson has teased that his comeback from a hamstring injury could be 'soon' as he snapped back at 'pathetic' claims that the Magpies squad could not handle this season's step-up to the Champions League.

The talisman was substituted at half-time during the side's meeting with Borussia Dortmund earlier this month and was absent during the side's 2-0 defeat to his former club Bournemouth before the international break. Wilson also withdrew from England duty due to the hamstring problem with Eddie Howe previously saying the player would be out for a 'number of weeks'.

Speaking on the BBC Sounds' Footballer's Football Podcast, Wilson refused to be too specific about his recovery and a return date but appeared to hint that it would be sooner rather than later. He said: "Obviously I've been working hard, progressing well and I shall be back soon. I can't give you an exact timeline on that.

"When you have a setback you need to make sure that you're doing everything you can to get back and stay back. I think, in the first eight weeks of the season I played around 300 minutes and then in the last three weeks, when I was playing and Alex was injured, I ended up playing 400 minutes. That's your answer right there."

On this week's episode, Wilson and West Ham star Michail Antonio talked about the wave of injuries that has hit the Premier League this autumn - the Hammers striker himself is set to miss six months with knee ligament damage.

Newcastle United are one of the worst-impacted top-flight clubs with a list of key men receiving treatment for injuries. Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes are all ruled out from this weekend's meeting with Chelsea while Alexander Isak is a doubt with a groin injury.

A boisterous Antonio joked: "You know what's crazy... you're there talking about European football. You can't handle it! Your bodies can't handle it! Breaking down left, right and centre."

Not happy with the remark, Wilson quipped back at his pal. He said: "I'm not going to comment on that. That is pathetic."

Earlier in the episode, speaking about the situation at St James' Park, Wilson explained: "It's gone crazy. Obviously, within a season you expect to have a few casualties but not 11 at one time. These are players that regularly play games as well, so it's been a frustrating and difficult time for us as a club. It's a challenge.

"It's about other players stepping up and it shows the depth of the squad and that togetherness. You can't rely on anybody else, because there isn't anyone else to bring in so you have to dig in and get through a period that's difficult. When you see the other side and everyone is back again, we'll be moaning there is too much competition."