Call of duty

HOWE’S BACKING HIS EURO STAR WILSON

- SIMON BIRD

EDDIE HOWE has insisted Newcastle are not “in a dark place” as he backs Callum Wilson to fire them into Europe.

The United chief (below) is facing the most difficult spell of his Tyneside career so far.

Three 2-0 defeats in a row to the North West elite – one of which was in the Carabao Cup final – have seen Newcastle fail to score in more than five hours of play.

Only one win in the league since the turn of the year has seen Liverpool catch up in the race for fourth place which also involves Tottenham.

That target – even a top-six finish – seemed somewhat fanciful at the start of the season when players started to mention their hopes, after just escaping the relegation battle in 2022.