England call ups not wild thinking on Tyneside

Another international break is just around the corner and with Newcastle getting results on the pitch, some could be rewarded with the highest recognition a footballer can receive.

England call ups not wild thinking on Tyneside
Photo Credit:(Gettyimages/Serena Taylor)
aaron-hindhaugh
By Aaron Hindhaugh

Yet another international break is almost upon us and Newcastle United will have a number of players flying across the globe to represent their countries.

With some impressive performances by individuals, there could be one or two surprises when Gareth Southgate announces his next squad for the Three Lions.

Both Callum Wilson and Karl Darlow have won Newcastle points on their own or as a collective, like in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Darlow made numerous world-class saves before Wilson equalised in added time.

Pride of the North

The last Newcastle player to earn an England call up was Jack Colback in 2014 when Roy Hodgson handed the midfielder the opportunity to be amongst the England set up.

He never made an appearance while with the squad but it was a huge reward for Colback who had been steady but impressive for 12-18 months.

This seems like the most likely chance for Newcastle to get someone into the England squad with Wilson having found the net six times in seven games and Darlow having made the most saves out of anyone in Europe's top five leagues this season.

Places are limited

Up top Southgate is likely to stick with Dominic Calver-Lewin after his impressive start to the season and captain Harry Kane's position is never in doubt unless injured.

However, it seems it'll be between Tammy Abraham, Wilson or Patrick Bamford for two of the final striker spots. 

Abraham has struggled for form and regular minutes this season with the arrival of Timo Werner, therefore, if the squad is picked on form it should be Wilson and Bamford who have 12 goals between them this season.

The Chelsea striker has managed just one goal in his six appearances, with half of them being starts. Comapred to the Newcastle striker who is averaging a goal every 104 minutes and Bamford who is averaging one every 97 minutes in the Premier League.

Wilson holds an advantage of Bamford with four caps and goal for the England side when he netted on his debut against USA whereas the Leeds United striker is yet to earn his first call up after spending the majority of his career in the Championship on loan spells.

Touch between the sticks

It's more unlikely for Darlow however as Southagte rarely changes his keepers with Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson being ever presents in the last few sqauds despite performances or lack of them for the latter.

Darlow has the outright highest save percentage in the league with 75% highlighting just how busy and outsatdning he has been for Newcastle this season. Pickford's is 66%, Pope 64% and Henderson has only faced three shots this season in the Carabao Cup, saving them all.

Once again, if Southagte is picking the squad on form, there's no doubt Darlow should at least be called up. However, Pickford is the number one because of his confidence on the ball and playing out from the back, something neither Pope nor Darlow execute very well.

Both players will have surely caught the England manager's eye and will be in his thoughts, but it may just be too soon for Darlow, despite his best efforts. Wilson can hope for that phone call off Southgate which may come his away due to injuries and poor form from other players.