Ex-Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford rates Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson’s England start chances v USA

England No.1 Jordan Pickford has assessed Callum Wilson’s chances of making his first England start of the FIFA World Cup.

Skipper Harry Kane has undergone a scan to determine the extent of an ankle injury picked up in the 6-2 win over Iran earlier this week. And as a result, Wilson, with Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, is on high alert ahead of the clash with the USA this evening.

And former Sunderland keeper Pickford, who is playing ahead of NUFC goalie Nick Pope for the Three Lions, believes Wilson is ready, if needed - although he has hinted the Tottenham Hotspur man, who won the World Cup golden boot in Russia in 2018, will be OK to play.

“Yeah I think he’s good. He’s probably a little bit sore but he was out on the grass with us today so that’s good. He’s our captain and I think he’s fine,” said Pickford about Kane’s chances of playing.

“I think everyone will take their chance. I think when Harry came off, at about 70 minutes, Callum came on and played really well, got the assist for Jack.

“He was very unselfish and gave Jack his goal. Everyone is training really hard and everyone’s here for a reason, to play football, but yeah, Harry is an unbelievable player.

“He sets the example in the squad. He’s a leader, the captain and we all look up to him, but yeah, there’s also opportunities for other lads as well.”

Wilson earned his fifth England cap as a later substitute in the victory in Qatar, laying on the sixth goal for Jack Grealish.