Wilson would relish being leading man
WHEN, at the start of this season, Callum Wilson marked Sunday, November 13 as ‘Pack for Qatar’ in his diary, he would have probably jotted ‘Start against USA’ on Friday November 25.
Not because he forecast an injury to Harry Kane, more because he backs himself to beat, what to others at least, would appear insurmountable odds. While recovering from a hamstring injury in September and asked by his Newcastle team-mates where he was spending the mid- season break, he would reply: ‘Qatar.’
He does not want for self-belief. Arrogance? Not to those who regularly spend time around the 30-year-old. His club boss Eddie Howe will not entertain anything other than the opinion of Wilson being the most single-minded, resilient and positive player he has ever worked with.
So, should Gareth Southgate turn to him in the event of Kane missing tomorrow’s game because of an ankle injury, Wilson will not be intimidated.
At the start of this month, before Southgate had named his squad, Sportsmail gave Wilson 30 seconds to tell us why he should be on the plane. He embraced the challenge. To others present, it may have looked like the question was a plant, such was Wilson’s enthusiasm for the task.
But talking himself up for England had become Wilson’s specialist subject — his weekly BBC podcast should have carried the sporting equivalent of a party political broadcast notice — and he duly returned a list of reasons why Southgate should pick him. Given Wilson was, by now, also doing his talking on the pitch, the Three Lions boss did not need much convincing.
At Newcastle’s training ground, Wilson bounces through corridors and his laughter beats him around corners. For all of the inner drive, there is an external, infectious quality that inspires others. The worry, as ever with Wilson, is that body has often failed mind. But what should be of reassurance to Southgate is that his player has used this very environment — the Aspire Academy in Doha — to aid his rehab before. Muscles, you assume, are more likely to pop amid the North East cold than they are the Middle-Eastern heat.
His hamstrings looked just fine in the closing stages of Monday’s 6-2 win over Iran. On as a substitute for Kane, he sprinted clear before laying on a goal for Jack Grealish. There was, to some on Tyneside, surprise that he did not shoot. That is Wilson (left) — now he’s on the inside, he does not need to force approval.
His reaction to being denied an earlier introduction when Southgate changed plans because of an injury to Harry Maguire was also telling. Stripped on the touchline, he shot a smile and a nod which relayed not frustration, but a belief that his time would come. Could that be now?
Even if Kane is declared fit to face the USA, Wilson’s confidence will remain. It is why he is the perfect go-to man in this tournament. Wilson is ready. He has been waiting for this ever since picking up his diary back in August.