With the Premier League season almost over, Newcastle supporters and fans across the country will be turning their attention to this summer’s European Championships.
The tournament is finally set to kick off in June, one year later than planned.
The global pandemic forced the competition to be postponed last summer, but it is finally set to kick off on June 11th in Rome. However, it will still be called Euro 2020 despite taking place a year later.
Nations will now be allowed to name a 26-man squad, giving Gareth Southgate even more options.
Debate about who he should or shouldn’t pick has raged on for months now, but we are getting closer to the England boss announcing his squad.
But will there be any Newcastle players representing the Three Lions?
Will Wilson make the squad?
Newcastle’s best bet of having someone in the England squad is Callum Wilson.
The striker has represented his country four times, scoring once. However, he has never been called up since joining Newcastle last summer.
Since returning from injury, Wilson has impressed. He scored twice in the 4-2 win over Leicester, taking his tally to 12 goals this season.
However, he won’t play again due to a hamstring problem. Lee Ryder reported that it is just precautionary though, meaning it might not rule him out of the Euros.
Martin Keown tipped Wilson to make the squad recently on Football Focus, although Tony Cascarino claimed he might have returned from injury too late to re-climb the pecking order.
In an interview with TalkSPORT, manager Steve Bruce stated he would take Wilson if he was England boss.
But what does Newcastle legend Alan Shearer think?
Shearer names his 26-man squad
In an article for the Athletic, Shearer has named his 26-man England squad.
It includes the usual suspects such as Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane, but his wildcard option comes from Old Trafford rather than St James’ Park.
Shearer only named three out-and-out strikers, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Greenwood alongside Kane.
There was no mention of Wilson, despite an impressive season for Newcastle.
He also ignored Patrick Bamford and Ollie Watkins, which suggests that Wilson didn’t even get close to Shearer’s squad.
There was also no Joe Willock, despite the Chronicle recently reporting that he was on England’s radar.
In the end, it will be a surprise to see any Newcastle players named in Southgate’s squad.
While Wilson will be disappointed, the best thing he can do is rest and make sure he’s fit and firing to return next season.
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