Martin Keown feels Callum Wilson has passed his audition for England’s World Cup squad. The Newcastle United striker scored twice in front of Gareth Southgate against Aston Villa.
Southgate was in attendance at St James’ Park as the Toon took on the Villans on Saturday. The game saw the Magpies run out comfortable 4-0 winners against a haphazard Villa Park side. Eddie Howe’s men simply had too much for caretaker Villa boss Aaron Danks’ line-up.
- WORLD CUP: WHEN IS THE OPENING GAME? ALL OF THE KEY DATES FOR QATAR 2022
- WORLD CUP: LUKA MODRIC AND LIONEL MESSI AMONG ALL 10 GOLDEN BALL WINNERS
Wilson broke the deadlock in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage-time from the penalty spot. The striker then stretched Newcastle’s lead 11 minutes into the second period for his sixth Premier League goal this term. Joelinton and Miguel Almiron also hit the scoresheet.
Robin Olsen had no chance of saving Wilson’s spot-kick as the striker fired his strike down the middle. The Swedish shot-stopper was again picking the ball out of his net early into the second half when Wilson met compatriot Kieran Trippier’s delivery to head the ball home.
An important performance and two goals as Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa came at the perfect time for Wilson’s hopes of making England’s World Cup squad. Three Lions boss Southgate had a front-row seat to the striker’s stellar show as he weighs up his final team.
Wilson passed his World Cup ‘audition’ as Southgate watched Newcastle win
Southgate has submitted his preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to FIFA, per the Daily Mail. But the England boss kept his selections a secrete before naming a 26-man squad to head to the Middle East. He will issue his final picks in early November.
Wilson will hope he made the cut for the long-list, having not represented his nation since 2019. The forward has previously earned four caps under Southgate and scored one goal. He hit home in a 3-0 friendly win over the United States, who England will face in Group B.
Keown doubts there is much more Wilson could show Southgate in Newcastle’s win to get a spot in England’s World Cup squad. But the Three Lions boss overlooked the 30-year-old for his last squad in September in favour of Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney and Harry Kane.
Keown told the BBC’s Final Score: “I think Callum Wilson has passed the audition in front of England manager Gareth Southgate to make it on board to go to the World Cup. He is a predator and he’s there to score goals when you need him.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
