sport news World Cup: Callum Wilson would RELISH being England's leading man trends now
When, at the start of this season, Callum Wilson marked Sunday November 13 as ‘Pack for Qatar’ in his diary, he would have probably jotted ‘Start against USA’ on Friday November 25.
Not because he forecast an injury to Harry Kane, more so because he backs himself to beat, what to others at least, would appear insurmountable odds.
While recovering from a hamstring injury in September and asked by his Newcastle team-mates where he was spending the mid-season break, the striker would reply: ‘Qatar.’
Callum Wilson would relish the chance to be England's leading man at the World Cup in Qatar
Even if Harry Kane (left) is declared fit to face USA on Friday, Wilson's confidence will remain
He does not want for self-belief, Wilson. Arrogance? From afar, perhaps. Not, however, to those who regularly spend time around the 30-year-old.
His club boss Eddie Howe, for example, will not entertain anything other than the opinion of Wilson being the most single-minded, resilient and positive player he has ever worked with.
So, should Gareth Southgate turn to him in the event of Kane missing Friday’s game because of an ankle issue, Wilson will not be intimidated by the stage upon which he will step as England’s leading man. Shrink beneath the spotlight? He will be walking taller than any Doha skyscraper.
At the start of this month, before Southgate had named his squad, Sportsmail gave Wilson 30 seconds to tell us why he should be on the plane. He embraced the challenge.
Substitute Wilson set up Jack Grealish to score England's sixth goal against Iran on Monday
To others present, it may have
