Callum Wilson has set a ten-goal target by November to force himself into England’s World Cup squad.
The ambitious Newcastle striker scored with a sublime flick and then admitted he hasn’t given up on being part of Gareth Southgate’s plans for Qatar. With Harry Kane’s deputy, Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured for six week, Wilson is hoping for an early goal glut as Eddie Howe’s rejuvenated, front-foot side catapults him back into international contention.
The four cap one goal star, 30, is in his prime and fully fit after a calf tear ruined four months of last season. He said: “I am sure double figures would get you into the squad. “I have to hit the ground running. At the moment I am probably not in the running but it is something that is in my mind, focusing on, and when I set my targets I try to achieve them.
“We will see where we end up in 15 games. It is about clearing mini hurdles. Little tests I set myself as a striker. Getting off the mark. Get back-to -back goals. Get braces and hat-tricks. We were favourites against a newly promoted side. I wanted to score, and I did that.
“My goal ratio is good and it is about maintaining that and adding to that. It is one goal now, but don’t score for ten games and it has gone to waste. Same with the team, back it up next week at Brighton.”
Newcastle were excellent against Forest, and Wilson will get chances with Eddie Howe’s side better on the ball and pressing high up the pitch. The £20m signing, who has 20 goals in 39 starts, has moved his family from Bournemouth to Tyneside to help his rest and recovery. He is determined to play a full, injury free season.
Wilson added: “For me it is about keeping that noise quiet this season. Putting that doubt to bed. I have no doubts about my body.
“Sometimes I am my own worst enemy. I go out there 70-80pc because I want to help the team. It doesn’t do me justice. I have had a good pre-season, very good physically and I’m 100pc fit. The more I am on the pitch the more I will score and the more records I will try to achieve.”
St James’ Park was rocking on Saturday, and the performance was hailed as “brilliant” by Howe, with few negatives. Newcastle will be contenders again at this rate. Wilson says the atmosphere is inspirational, saying he feels like an “excited schoolkid.”
“Is it fun playing here now? Honestly, for many years at Bournemouth, a smaller club, match days stimulated you, but not the same way as it does here. You walk out here and the atmosphere is immense.
“I have scored a lot of goals early on in games here because I am an excited schoolkid to be out there.”
Describing his goal, Wilson joked: “Ah it was easy! I knew Joelinton would put it in first time and I just had to get my timing right across the defender. It was about having a one versus one duel in the box. I flicked it in. It bounced up at the right time and I was grateful to stick it in.”
Fab Schar scored the opener, a rocket from 25 yards.
