Eddie Howe gives a big injury update ahead of Crystal Palace game with four big names still not training

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe faced the media this morning ahead of Wednesday night's clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park - Kick-off is 8pm with no live UK TV coverage.

Howe's main focus at the start of the briefing was, unsurprisingly, injuries and who would and wouldn't be available for selection tomorrow.

The gaffer noted there had been some reports suggesting certain players were back training which actually weren't but did say he was hopeful of a return for several big players before the end of the season.

However, Howe did confirm that Callum Wilson has trained this week and trained well, so there's a good chance he could be involved tomorrow night.

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Howe confirmed that Lewis Miley won't return to action this season

Meanwhile, Kieran Trippier, who was originally expected back after the international break is still not training with the rest of the team and the same goes for Miguel Almiron, Nick Pope and Joelinton with Howe telling reporters (via The Chronicle) that he does hope to see them in action this season.

We hope so [that these players will return]. We hope all four could play [before the end of the season]. Difficult to give a definite date as none of them are training with the group just yet.

Two players we won't be seeing again this term are Joe Willock and Lewis Miley. While Miley could play, the decision has been taken to rest him in order to protect his long-term future as the club don't want to take any risks with his current back injury.

Joe Willock has been told that he does not need surgery

Likewise, Joe Willock was told by a specialist that he could play but it would be better for him if he rested and worked on the muscles around the achilles.

"We don't think so [he'll play again]. With Joe, we've decided that a period of rest, or a period strengthening the area around his Achilles, would benefit him more. We went to see a specialist and they said we had a few options. He could continue to play but I think the longer term view was taken.

"No operation [needed] . That's been made clear to him on a couple of occasions. Surgery wouldn't be beneficial to his situation."