Darren Bent insists that Callum Wilson is '80%' on the plane to the World Cup in Qatar, after scoring a brace in Newcastle United's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate was in attendance at St James' Park on the weekend as the Magpies registered a fifth victory in six games (D1) to retain their place in the Premier League top four. Wilson broke the deadlock from the spot on the cusp of half-time, before bagging his brace 11 minutes after the break with a cushioned header from a cleverly worked corner routine.
The 30-year-old extended his tally to six league goals in nine games, and Bent believes Wilson has boosted his chances of being named in Southgate's squad with his performance against the Villains.
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The ex-Sunderland forward tweeted: "Callum Wilson has timed his form to perfection, and with the England manager there today, I think he's 80% on the plane to Qatar."
Wilson has backed himself to earn a place in England's 26-man squad, which is set to be announced on November 10. The Newcastle forward has been capped four times by England but hasn't featured for the Three Lions in over three years.
He scored on his England debut in a 3-0 victory over the United States in 2018 but made his last appearance from the bench in a 6-0 win in Bulgaria in October 2019.
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