Newcastle United are carefully monitoring the situation of William Osula as they prepare for a tricky Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend. The young forward, who arrived at St James’ Park in a £10 million deal, has endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines and now finds his short-term future finely balanced as Eddie Howe weighs up his options.
Osula has not featured since November after picking up an ankle injury that halted his momentum at a crucial point in the season. Since then, his absence has raised questions about his role in the squad, especially with speculation linking him to several Bundesliga clubs in recent months.
Despite that outside interest, Newcastle have been firm in their stance. The club do not want to sell, and Howe has already made it clear that Osula remains part of his plans moving forward.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Wolves at Molineux, Newcastle will assess Osula’s condition at their Benton training base. The Denmark Under-21 international is edging closer to a return and is believed to be nearing a point where he can rejoin full training.
While he may not yet be guaranteed a place in the matchday squad, the fact he is being considered again is a positive sign after a long and difficult recovery.
Newcastle’s preparations have been complicated further by the injury to Jacob Murphy. The winger was forced off in the first half of the recent Carabao Cup clash against Manchester City, limping off with a problem that has now ruled him out of the Wolves game.
Murphy’s absence leaves Howe short of options in wide areas, which has naturally brought Osula’s name back into the conversation.
Speaking about the situation, Howe explained that Murphy’s injury, while disruptive, is thankfully not as serious as first feared. However, he admitted there is still uncertainty around how long the winger will be sidelined.
With the schedule remaining demanding, Newcastle must manage their resources carefully, especially as they look to maintain consistency in their league form.
Howe also offered insight into Osula’s recovery process, stressing that the striker’s situation is different from Murphy’s. After spending a significant amount of time out, Osula effectively had to start again.
There was a period of complete rest, followed by a gradual rebuilding phase designed to get him back to match fitness without risking further injury. According to Howe, that process is now nearing its final stages.
The Newcastle boss confirmed that Osula is very close to returning to training and, if all goes well, could soon be available for selection. However, Howe was careful not to rush the young forward, making it clear that the club will decide when the timing is right to reintroduce him to competitive action. Patience, rather than urgency, remains the priority.
Osula’s absence has been particularly frustrating given the promise he showed earlier in the campaign. Signed as a player for the present and the future, he was viewed as an energetic option who could add depth and intensity to Newcastle’s attacking unit. Injuries have stalled that progress, but the club’s belief in his potential has not faded.
Meanwhile, Wolves await Newcastle in a fixture that may not be as straightforward as the league table suggests. Despite sitting at the bottom, Wolves have shown signs of fight in recent weeks, making Sunday’s game one that demands focus and discipline from the visitors. Newcastle will be keen to avoid complacency, especially with key players missing.
For Howe, the challenge is balancing short-term needs with long-term development. Bringing Osula back too quickly could risk another setback, but leaving him out for too long may delay his reintegration into the squad. With Murphy unavailable and the squad stretched, Osula could find himself on standby, ready to be called upon if his fitness allows.
The coming days will be important for the young striker. A return to training would be a major step forward and could put him back in contention for minutes sooner rather than later. Even if he does not feature against Wolves, being close to selection would mark real progress after months of frustration.
Newcastle’s stance remains clear. Osula is not for sale, despite the noise surrounding his future, and the club see value in giving him time to settle, recover, and grow. Injuries are part of football, particularly for young players adapting to the demands of the Premier League, and Newcastle are prepared to support him through that process.
As the Magpies head into another important league fixture, all eyes will be on the fitness updates coming out of Benton. Whether Osula makes the squad or remains on standby, his situation highlights the fine margins Newcastle are dealing with right now. For the player himself, the focus is simple: get fit, get back on the pitch, and prove that the faith shown in him was well placed.
