Callum Wilson faces a 'big week' ahead of potentially returning to action for Newcastle United's huge game against Burnley on Sunday but Steve Bruce is conscious of the need to 'box carefully'.
Newcastle's top scorer has not played since he suffered a hamstring injury in the Magpies' 3-2 win against Southampton in February.
Wilson was originally ruled out for between six and eight weeks, but Bruce has been wary of rushing the striker back given the nature of his muscle injury.
After completing a month-long rehabilitation camp in Bournemouth, Wilson returned to individual training at Newcastle's Benton base last month and Bruce hoped the striker would be able to join in with the group sessions this week.
The big test now, of course, is getting Wilson up to speed after an extended spell on the sidelines and the coming days will be crucial.
Allan Saint-Maximin suffered a groin injury in Newcastle's 1-1 draw against Wolves last month and the Frenchman only put himself back in contention after coming through a big training session last week.
Bruce, who has been guided by his medical staff, ultimately decided to ease Saint-Maximin back in for the visit of Spurs and the forward came off the bench to play the final 20 minutes of the 2-2 draw.
With just eight games to go, Bruce may yet be minded to use a similar tactic with Wilson who, like Saint-Maximin, is an explosive player.
"Big week, a big week ahead, so let's see," Bruce told NUFC TV.
"As I've said, you've just seen Allan there. Muscle injuries - you've got to box careful.
"Good to see him around the training ground, I have to say, but we'll see how he is."
Newcastle have yet to win a league game this season without Wilson and the striker has been directly involved in exactly half of the Magpies' 30 top-flight goals in 2020-21.
