The four Newcastle United players who could make England’s World Cup squad - and six that won’t
Gareth Southgate will today name his England squad for the Qatar World Cup - and a few Newcastle United stars are hoping for a place on the plane.
The Three Lions boss will cut his 55-man preliminary squad - which was not made public - to 26 ahead of the final round of Premier League fixtures this weekend. The Magpies host Chelsea at St James’ Park.
The World Cup gets underway on Sunday, November 20, with England facing Iran in their opening game of Group B.
Southgate is set to confirm his 26-man squad on Thursday, November 10 at 2pm. All 32 participating nations must submit their final squads before 4pm on Monday, November 14.
Indeed, that allows Southgate time to make any last-minute decisions should any of the selected players pick up injuries during the weekend’s fixtures.
Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at Newcastle’s English players and rate their chances of making the squad:
1. Dan Burn - could
Injuries in defence for England have led to calls for Burn to be selected based on his excellent form for Newcastle in 2022. The likelihood, however, is low having never been called up previously.
2. Jamaal Lascelles - not included
Lascelles’ performances under Rafa Benitez often led to talk of a potential England call-up but that ship has sailed of late having lost his place in the Newcastle starting XI.
3. Matt Targett - not included
Had Burn not been selected at left-back over Targett so far this seaso, then the former Southampton and Aston Villa man might have featured in the conversation.
4. Nick Pope - included
Pope started England’s previous Nations League games in Jordan Pickford’s absence, and although the Everton goalkeeper is expected to be No.1, Pope is a dependable back-up.