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Oscar Haley

Rio Ferdinand highlights problem Newcastle's Callum Wilson may face in realising World Cup dream

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson's past injury record could count against him when it comes to making the England World Cup squad.

Much has been made over who should back-up Harry Kane out in Qatar, with Wilson and a number of other contenders vying for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad.

Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham, Marcus Rashford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will all likely be in the Southgate's thoughts alongside Wilson, but there can be no doubt the Newcastle striker is leading the way when it comes to current form.

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In his last outing, where Southgate saw exactly what he could offer England from the St James' Park stands, Wilson ran Aston Villa ragged, bagging a brace to take his tally to six goals in nine games this term.

Out of the other forward options, only Toney, who has played four more games than Wilson, has scored more goals with eight in the Premier League.

With his ability to offer a threat running in behind, he would almost certainly offer the England manager a different option in attack to first choice striker Kane.

However, part of the worry with Wilson is his inability to stay fit for a full season. Already this term, the 30-year-old has missed five games in all competitions due to injury.

And while Ferdinand reckons Wilson should be in the England squad based on his current form, he also believes his inability to stay fit could play a huge part in whether Southgate decides to pick him for Qatar.

"The problem with Callum Wilson is his fitness," said Ferdinand on his YouTube channel.

"He's got two weeks left. I'm just saying, if you're a manager, you're sitting there going, you've shown me in recent seasons that you can't stay fit. So to go to a tournament, it's a risk isn't it.

"But listen, on form, he has to be in that equation. He has to go on form. He's scoring goals. But then you look at other players like [Ivan] Toney.

"If Toney goes, he [Gareth Southgate] doesn't know if he can put on an England shirt and it weighs too heavy for him."

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