'Absolute catastrophe' - TalkSPORT pundit reacts to 'disastrous' Newcastle United injury update

The 28-year-old has been a standout performer for the Magpies since joining from Bournemouth over the summer, and has hit 10 goals in 21 Premier League outings this season.

Wilson was forced off during his side’s 3-2 win over Southampton at the weekend, however, and Toon manager Steve Bruce revealed on Thursday that he could be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Reflecting on the update during an appearance on talkSPORT later in the day, former West Ham striker Ashton admitted that the news could be a hammer blow for the Magpies.

He said: “This is an absolute catastrophe for Newcastle.

"I’ve been so impressed with Callum Wilson going to Newcastle.

"He’s managed to maintain his high standards, the goal-scoring, leading the line when basically at times it’s just being booted up towards him, and his influence has been massive at the club in terms of goals.

"He’s been involved in 60% of Newcastle’s goals. Ten goals, five assists of their 25 goals that they’ve scored as a team, which tells you how important he is. Almiron’s got four, which is the next best, and then it’s Shelvey, I think, with two.

"They’re desperately in need of goals, he was the only one who gave them that real threat and led the line, and brought other players into play.

"I'm worried for him because they hamstring is horrible. Any injury is horrible, hamstring particularly I think for a forward of his ilk as well, who uses that acceleration, uses that sharpness to get away from defenders.

"It’s always a worry when you’re coming back from that, and also, he was playing well enough to be really considered for the England squad again. I worry for him in that sense.

"It's a disaster all-round from Newcastle’s point of view.”

Wilson had his fair share of injury issues during his spell with Bournemouth too, and missed significant periods of action during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 campaigns after he sustained a ruptured cruciate ligament.