Callum Wilson has been dreaming of the 2022 World Cup for a long time and may well be playing himself into contention for the winter showpiece thanks to his recent Newcastle United exploits. The striker visited the Gulf state back in 2017 while recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury and it was there he first vowed to make sure his return to the country would be for more positive reasons.
Undergoing a three-week treatment plan at Aspetar, one of the leading sports medicine hospitals in Doha, Wilson developed his first taste of the country and what he could expect if returning with England in five years time. “I hope I can return to Qatar in a more active fashion to represent England in 2022," he told Sport360 at the time.
Fast forward to present day and with the tournament just weeks away, Wilson is back in contention for a place in Gareth Southgate 's 26-man tournament squad. Sunday saw the former Bournemouth man find the back of the net once again in Newcastle 's 2-1 win over Tottenham in the capital, ending an unusually long three-game dry spell since coming back from injury earlier this month.
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Wilson has struggled to stay fit in recent seasons and there is an argument to suggest him missing out on the Qatar competition would actually be a blessing for Newcastle. However, the forward admits while he is focused on the Magpies' quest to upset the Premier League apple cart, he also has one eye on fulfilling his Qatar vow from 2017.
"For me, I’m just focusing on performances," he told Sky Sports. "Game in, game out, little by little, trying to add goals but all around I’m trying to improve.
"Hopefully catch the eye of the manager, that’s the dream to play in a World Cup. A few years ago I was in Qatar doing rehab, they were building stadiums and I’d say 'I’ll come back', I’ve got one eye on that."
Wilson hasn't featured for England in just over three years but has been finding the net with ease at club level in recent months. Earlier this season, the Newcastle forward made his moment count by scoring against Manchester City as England boss Southgate watched on at St James' Park.
Howe has only just welcomed his star striker back into the first-team fold on Tyneside but was unequivocal in his support for Wilson's World Cup ambitions over the weekend. “I’m in a difficult position because I don’t want to put Gareth under unnecessary pressure or create headlines,” said the Magpies head coach.
“That’s not my style as a manager to another manager. But I do back Callum, and I think Gareth does as well. I think he loves the player.
“Callum is an outstanding goalscorer, but he’s also an outstanding team-mate so, if he was to go to a major tournament, he’d support the players that are playing and wait for his opportunity to play. So, for me, he’s got the complete package, but that’s Gareth’s decision, and whatever decision he makes will be the right one.”
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