Newcastle star reveals how new bedroom routine can help him avoid more agony after six-month injury hell
CALLUM WILSON says he even changed his bedroom routine in order to solve his injury woes.
The 32-year-old made his long-awaited return after a five-month absence as a late substitute for Newcastle in Monday’s defeat to West Ham.
Wilson is Toon’s second top scorer in Premier League history behind only Alan Shearer despite suffering numerous physical setbacks over recent years.
His latest was a back and hamstring problem picked up right at the start of pre-seaon and he says that he has done “a lot of different things” on his recovery this time to try to avoid any further agony.
The striker said: “I’ve done a lot of analysis into the body, changed a lot of things and hopefully now put an end to the setbacks.
“Nobody likes to get injured, you try your best and nobody can guarantee anything but I think to get to this point in my career with the setbacks I’ve had I have to give myself credit for keeping bouncing back. But it’s about not having to now.”
Pressed on what he had done in rehab this time, Wilson revealed he had even changed the way he sleeps as he targets firing the club to a top four finish.
He said: “Nothing specific really, just lots of different things. Seen a lot of specialists, different analysis into the body, how you run, how you move, how you sleep, how you eat to put an end to the setbacks you have to go through.
“For me now I had a spell out, missed a fair few games so it’s about staying fit, helping the team.
“There’s a lot of potential in that dressing room, a strong squad and it’s about making sure we can put the club where it deserves to be and where the squad warrants.
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“We had a taste of Champions League football and want to get back there.”
Boss Eddie Howe is a huge fan of the star who he also managed at Bournemouth, however, Wilson knows he has to deliver and stay fit in order to earn a new deal with his current contract expiring in June.
He says: “I’m not thinking about it to be honest. You can only focus on the current situation – the first and foremost was getting fit, from there you build on that, stay fit, score your goals and then it’s down to the club on how things progress and like I say, as a striker you score goals and get yourself longevity don’t you?
“I love playing for this club, I joined many years ago and helped the club numerous times throughout the years and I want to be a part of it.
“It’s about getting going and getting out there – as long as I’m on the pitch I’ve no doubt I’ll score goals but it’s about staying on the pitch.”
And with Thomas Tuchel taking over as England manager, Wilson also admitted his desire to build on his nine caps and two goals for the Three Lions.
He added: “Of course you always have one eye on international football. There’s a long period of time now until the next camp and there’s a lot of games to be played before then.
“I never really would shut down anything like that but your football for Newcastle takes care of that.
“If I’m on the pitch I’ll score goals, if I score goals you get yourself in the England squad.”
How 'big angel' Joelinton rescued boss after he fainted in Subway
NEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.
And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.
Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.
Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.
“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.
“I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.
“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?’
“He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”