Howe backing Wilson to shine

EDDIE Howe has told England counterpart Gareth Southgate Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is ready, willing and able to answer the nation’s call at the World Cup finals.

The 30-year-old frontman, who was last capped in 2019, was one of three Magpies - goalkeeper Nick Pope and full-back Kieran Tripper are the others - to be named in Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar on Thursday, although he is facing a race against time to recover from illness to face Chelsea in the Premier League today.

Howe, who has worked with Wilson since he signed him for Bournemouth in 2014, has seen him emerge from injury misery - he has twice fought his way back from cruciate ligament ruptures - to take his place on the world stage, and is convinced he has the quality and strength of character to serve his country with distinction.

The Newcastle head coach said: “I would back Callum in any situation, that if he entered the pitch he would be able to score the goals England need.

“That’s always been in his DNA, the goalscoring ability. More importantly, the confidence to do it in any arena - that’s his biggest strength.”