Newcastle boss Eddie Howe pays tribute to Callum Wilson with striker’s future in doubt

The latest North East sport headlines, from Daniel Wales.

Transcript

00:00Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has paid tribute to forward Callum Wilson

00:05with the future of the striker at the club uncertain at present.

00:10What I can say is Callum Wilson is and has been just an incredible footballer for Newcastle.

00:17Someone who epitomises the spirit that's got us to where we are really, professional, brave.

00:23I mean to come here and be the number nine in the manner and the moment that he did in the club's history

00:28it was a difficult moment, the club needed hope and Callum gave them hope.

00:33Led the line with that, the responsibility and the pressure that that role brings unbelievably well.

00:38He brings a positivity to the group, he's a leader within the changing room,

00:42he's just been incredible and let's wait and see what happens.

00:46It was great to see him have that relationship with the supporters,

00:48there's still so much respect there between the two.

00:51Yeah, obviously I've got a very close relationship with him as I'd like to think I have with,

00:55I can say all because that's impossible,

00:57but the majority of the players in the squad I think is really important that I do.

01:00But he's someone I just respect immensely.

01:02I've seen the struggles that he's had in his career, I've also seen the successes,

01:05I've seen the development.

01:07He's never someone you'd want to lose from the group,

01:09but obviously there's challenges that we face as a football club.

01:12And Sunderland head coach Regisle Brice has made clear that it was a collective effort

01:16from his players and staff that saw Sunderland promoted to the Premier League.

01:21At least we need to remember that the connection between players is often more important

01:32than the talent of one player.

01:33And for me, as a manager, I think in football in general,

01:41sometimes we forget that it's a collective sport,

01:47a collective effort,

01:50and we tend to focus on one talent who made the difference,

01:56but it's not the main point.

01:57The main point is the way we work together.

02:00And this squad was really impressive.

02:03This season about their connection,

02:05even when it was tough,

02:07they stayed connected,

02:08they want to learn from mistakes and so on.

02:10So, yeah, it was a strong feeling this season.

02:14So, yeah, it was a strong feeling this season.