talkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist has backed Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson to make it into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad – as long as he can keep fit.
McCoist was speaking following the Toon’s statement victory in the Premier League on Sunday.
Wilson opened the scoring as Eddie Howe’s side climbed into the top four with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The forward grabbed his fourth goal of the campaign and his second since recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained back in August.
Newcastle World awarded the 30-year-old a 7/10 for his performance and McCoist has been left raving over his ability.
As posted on talkSPORT’s Twitter account, he said:
“I just think he is different class.
“Watkins scored at the weekend, Calvert-Lewin scored at the weekend, Ings scored at the weekend, but Callum Wilson, for me, might just be the dark horse going into that England squad, I tell you right now.
“He’s got a great belief in the way that he plays himself I’ve got to say, and I watched him a while back, it might have even been the season before last, he played up front himself at home against Liverpool.
“Liverpool were firing and I thought his movement, everything about him, his confidence, his strength, his ability with the ball at his feet, I thought he can play.
”He’s just kind of lost his way through no fault of his own with injury a little bit and I just think if he can keep himself fit, what a boost he would be to Gareth as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Wilson…
Will Wilson make the World Cup squad?
Yes
No
The former Bournemouth centre-forward is a four-time England international but persistent injury issues have hindered his chances with the national side.
Wilson has missed 30 games since the start of last season due to fitness problems and hasn’t played for the three lions in over three years.
Gareth Southgate is expected to name his panel for Qatar on November 10th just prior to the final round of Premier League fixtures.
That gives Newcastle’s no.9 two games against Aston Villa and Southampton to prove his worth and if he manages to keep fit he could well be on the plane as McCoist has tipped.