Eddie Howe has refused to rule out Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson breaking back into the England squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, despite his trouble with injuries.
England World Cup call-up not impossible for Newcastle star Callum Wilson
Eddie Howe believes it is still possible England boss Gareth Southgate will pull a U-turn and give Newcastle United star Callum Wilson a seat on their plan to the Qatar World Cup. And the Toon coach doubts his forward has given up on a call-up either, via The Northern Echo.
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Southgate elected to leave Wilson out of his expanded 28-man Three Lions squad for UEFA Nations League meetings with Italy and Germany. England travel to the San Siro to take on the Azzurri on September 23, before then facing Die Mannschaft at Wembley on the 26th.
Wilson has now not represented England in three years, with the 30-year-old last earning a cap in October 2019. He also made Southgate’s squad in November 2019, but did not earn an outing to build on caps in March and June 2019, following his debut in November 2018.
An international friendly with the United States – who England meet at the first World Cup held in the Middle East in the group stage in November – also returned Wilson’s only start and goal for the Three Lions. He additionally played 79 of his 145 minutes against the USA.
Other forwards have now moved ahead of Wilson in Southgate’s pecking order, with Ivan Toney of Brentford earning a maiden call-up at any level this month. Part of the reason for Wilson’s fall from favour have been injuries, with the four-cap forward missing large spells.
Wilson only managed to start 16 Premier League games last season, along with two games off the bench. This term has again seen the Coventry-born attacker play sparingly, with the Magpies man missing each of his side’s three games since scoring against Manchester City.
Injuries are again scuppering Callum Wilson’s bid to earn a seat to Qatar
Wilson sustained a hamstring injury at home to Manchester City following his second goal in three Newcastle appearances this season. He is now closing in on a return to fitness but is touch-and-go to face his former side, AFC Bournemouth, at St James’ Park this Saturday.
Picking up where he left off – either against the Cherries or after the international break – could be what sees Southgate bring Wilson back into the England camp for the World Cup. The Three Lions do not play again before the tournament after facing Germany this month.
Newcastle boss Howe also does not believe the die has been cast and Wilson is firmly out of the picture for England. But he urges the striker not to dwell on why he is not called up.
“I never try to predict what will happen in the future,” Howe said, “and I’ll never write off Callum Wilson. His mindset is incredible. I don’t think his World Cup chance is gone, and I don’t think Callum believes so either.
“Of course, I feel for him because he’s not in the squad, and I feel for him because he’s been injured. But you have to look to the future and for Callum, you can’t sit there and dwell and go: ‘Poor me’.”
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