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Lee Ryder & Stuart Jamieson

Alan Shearer has been proven right about Newcastle United's Callum Wilson

Buying a goalscorer was vital for Newcastle United last summer.

So when they landed England striker Callum Wilson in a £20m deal from Bournemouth in August, fans were understandably delighted.

While the Magpies have suffered a mixed season in terms of results so far, Wilson has been one of the few consistent positive factors, scoring eight goals in black-and-white already.

His form so far this season - which chances at a premium - has impressed supporters and pundits alike, but we really shouldn't be surprised that the 28-year-old has hit the ground running.

No lesser authority than Alan Shearer backed the deal earlier this year, and the Newcastle goal legend knows a thing or two about scoring goals in black-and-white.

And he has once again proved to be spot on in his analysis of United's big summer transfer window buy.

Speaking to BBC Sport in September, Shearer said: "We desperately needed a goalscorer but buying Callum Wilson has covered that off.

"He is a player I think highly of and he is capable of scoring the goals to keep us out of another relegation battle.

"Our top league scorer last season was a midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey, with six goals so it was pretty obvious that our attack was somewhere we needed to improve. Ryan Fraser will help in that area too.

"Callum is 28 and a proven Premier League goalscorer - he was valued at around £30-40m a few years ago but Newcastle have got him for £20m, which is a steal. If he hits form he might just get back in the England squad too - I hope so anyway."

United are still to see the best of Fraser, with injuries hampering his gametime so far this campaign.

However, there have been flashes of what he can do - not least in setting up former Bournemouth team-mate Wilson for the second goal in the win over Everton earlier this season.

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