Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is being considered for a potential recall to the England national team, as manager Gareth Southgate monitors the fitness of Jude Bellingham.
Wilson has been in fine form, netting 11 goals since being omitted from the squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine back in March.
Gareth Southgate is set to announce his squad on Wednesday for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers. England currently sits at the top of Group C and will face Malta on June 16 and North Macedonia in Manchester on June 19.
He keeps on delivering when it matters! 🫡🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/GrAcmjn9TK
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 18, 2023
Callum Wilson has played a crucial role in Newcastle United’s push for a top-four finish, and their qualification for the Champions League after a two-decade absence was sealed with a goalless draw against Leicester on Monday.
While the 31-year-old striker represented his country at the World Cup in Qatar, he struggled to find the back of the net, managing only one goal in 13 matches following the season’s resumption. This lack of form led to his exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has previously backed his striker for a recall.
He said: “It’s one for Gareth, but he is certainly doing the right things, scoring goals. That is always going to get you the headlines. He is certainly in great form. I don’t know if it is his best.
“But I think he is very focused at the moment and he knows he has to be. I think the biggest compliment I can pay him is that, whatever situation he’s been in, he’s still been himself, laughing, smiling, joking.
“He is a really positive character. He’s somebody that the squad needs to be positive because he’s such a big personality within it.”
There is a spot available after Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban for betting offences was confirmed this month.
The Brentford striker made his debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 win over Ukraine but will be unable to play competitively again until January.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins missed out on a call-up last time and will come into Southgate’s thoughts again.
Watkins has 15 goals this season, although he has not scored in his last six outings and missed a penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool.