Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson can be the eighth active Toon player to represent England at a World Cup. Gareth Southgate is considering taking the striker to Qatar 2022.
The Magpies have previously seen seven of their players feature for the Three Lions at the FIFA competition to date. A Newcastle player also featured as England made their debut at a World Cup in 1950. But an active Toon star has not played at the tournament since 2002.
Now, Wilson could end Newcastle’s 20-year wait for a Toon player to represent England at a World Cup. The Evening Standard reports that Southgate included the 30-year-old in his preliminary 55-man squad. He will announce his definitive 26-man squad on November 10.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson gave England the perfect World Cup audition
Wilson delivered the ideal audition for a seat on the plane to Qatar as Southgate watched Newcastle beat Aston Villa. The forward scored twice and laid on an assist in the Magpies’ 4-1 win. He now boasts six goals and two assists in nine Premier League games this term.
Yet the Coventry-born attacker has not represented his nation since earning his fourth cap in October 2019. Southgate had awarded Wilson his England debut 11 months prior as he scored against the United States. The friendly also marks his only start for the Three Lions.
Wilson went on to endure relegation to the Championship with AFC Bournemouth in the 2019/20 campaign before joining Newcastle. Steve Bruce paid £20m in September 2020. Now, his form under Eddie Howe may lead to the centre-forward’s debut at a FIFA finals.
Wilson featuring at Qatar 2022 would make the striker the eighth active Newcastle player to represent England at a World Cup. Seven of the 38 players that the Toon have provided the Three Lions have appeared at a FIFA finals. Nick Pope or Kieran Tripper would, as well.
England start their Group B campaign against Iran on November 21 before games with the USA on the 25th and Wales on the 29th. Southgate led the Three Lions to the semi-final in Russia four years ago. It was their joint-best finish since they lifted their only title in 1966.
So, ahead of Wilson – as well as Pope and Trippier – possibly featuring at Qatar 2022 as an active Newcastle player, HITC Football looks at England’s previous Toon World Cup stars…
Kieron Dyer was the last Newcastle player to represent England at a World Cup
Kieron Dyer was the last active Newcastle player to represent England at a World Cup. The midfielder featured three times during the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea but did not start a game. Sven-Goran Eriksen exclusively fielded the 33-cap ace from his bench.
Eriksen took Dyer to the first World Cup held in Asia amid his eight-year career at St James’ Park. Newcastle signed the winger from Ipswich Town in 1999 and retained his services up to 2007. West Ham United paid the Magpies £5m and utilised Dyer for the next four years.
Peter Beardsley represented England at the 1986 World Cup as a Newcastle player
Peter Beardsley enjoyed two spells on Tyneside in his first-team career with stints in black-and-white between 1983-1987 and 1993-1997. The Newcastle product’s initial return to St James’ preceded his debut appearance at a World Cup finals in 1986. He returned in 1990.
The 61-cap striker scored once and assisted a goal during his four appearances at the 1986 edition in Mexico. Beardsley would make five appearances at Italia 90 on route to England finishing third. But the forward would fail to influence the scoring while a Liverpool player.
Rob Lee featured at his only World Cup while a Newcastle player
Rob Lee went to his sole World Cup while a Newcastle player after representing England at France 1998. The 20-cap midfielder only made one appearance across the English Channel. He played 11 minutes in a 2-0 win over Colombia during the Three Lions’ final Group G tie.
Newcastle called on Lee’s services from 1992 to 2002 after raiding Charlton Athletic for the Addicks’ academy product. He went on to spend time with Derby County (2002-03), West Ham (2003-04), Oldham Athletic (2004-05) and lastly Wycombe Wanderers (2005-06), too.
David Batty featured four times at France 1998 while a Newcastle player
David Batty featured four times at France 1998 with England while a Newcastle player. The 42-cap midfielder featured in each of the Three Lions’ ties and started their first two group stage matches. But he fell to a backup role in Glenn Hoddle’s plans after losing to Romania.
The Leeds United product moved to Tyneside from Blackburn Rovers in 1996 and stayed at the club until 1999. Batty then returned to Elland Road five years after he initially departed for the final five years of his career. He never featured at another World Cup with England.
Alan Shearer captained England as a Newcastle player at the 1998 World Cup
Alan Shearer captained England in all four of their matches at the 1998 World Cup whilst a Newcastle player. The 63-cap striker also scored two goals over his 390 minutes in France. He played every second of the Three Lions’ fixtures but did not play at a World Cup again.
Shearer’s final act on the global stage was converting his penalty in the Round of 16 shoot-out defeat against Argentina. Even though the all-time Premier League top-scorer with 260 goals continued playing on Tyneside through until 2006. He had joined Newcastle in 1996.
Ivor Broadis made the quarter-final with the Three Lions at Switzerland 1954
Ivor Broadis made the quarter-final with the Three Lions at Switzerland 1954. England took the top spot in Group 4 from the host nation after they beat A-Team 2-0 in Bern. But a 4-2 defeat to Uruguay in England’s maiden knockout stage game would end their tournament.
Broadis played in all three of England’s 1954 World Cup matches whilst a Newcastle player between 1953-55. He also scored twice and laid on one assist as the Three Lions drew 4-4 after extra time with Belgium. The 14-cap striker played each minute but did not hit again.
Jackie Milburn made his only World Cup appearance while a Newcastle player
Jackie Milburn enjoyed his only World Cup appearance as England lost to Spain at the 1950 tournament while a Newcastle player. The 13-cap forward started the Three Lions’ final tie in Group 2. Walter Winterbottom’s side had already lost 1-0 to the USA after beating Chile.
The Ashington-born ace spent almost all of his domestic career as a Newcastle player after graduating from their academy. He stayed at the club through to 1957 and joining Linfield for the final three years of his career. But Milburn never returned to the World Cup stage.
Milburn was the first Newcastle star to represent England at a World Cup having played at the Three Lions’ first FIFA finals. England had never previously qualified for the World Cup before the 1950 edition. It is also one of three times they have exited after the first round.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
