Jamaal still dreaming
JAMAAL LASCELLES hasn’t given up on his World Cup dream, despite his latest snub by Gareth Southgate.
Toon legend Alan Shearer has questioned the Newcastle skipper’s omission from the England squad for the friendlies against Holland and Italy.
Southgate opted for the uncapped duo of Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Swansea’s Alfie Mawson to bolster his central defensive options after axing Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.
Wish
But despite his frustration, Lascelles knows he could still come into reckoning for this summer’s finals in Russia if he can excel in the Geordies’ final eight games.
“I was waiting to see what would happen because I thought that I might have had a good chance,” said Lascelles.
“Fair play to the boys who have been selected, I wish them all the best but I was disappointed when I found out the England squad.
“I’ll keep trying my best for Newcastle, that’s my main focus because I need to concentrate on that, do well in the league, and whatever happens, happens.”
Islam Slimani is in the squad that has travelled to Spain for a four-day training camp.
But the injury-prone striker has been training alone in a bid to recover from a calf problem that has prevented him from featuring since a loan move from Leicester in January.
Newcastle are in talks with Algeria after the 29-year-old was called up for the friendlies against Tanzania and Iran later this month.
They hope to persuade the Algerians to allow Slimani to continue his rehabilitation at St James’ Park.