Callum Wilson has relived one of his career-threatening injuries in an emotional post following his World Cup call-up. Two years of goals caveated with lengthy spells on the sideline has made the 30-year-old’s Newcastle United career a frustrating one.
Not least for Wilson himself, as he was never shy to disclose his international ambitions. Scoring goals has been an easy task for the Toon number nine - providing stayed fit.
Alarmingly, Wilson has missed 38% of Newcastle’s Premier League games since his arrival in September 2020. Despite his injury woes, he has managed almost a goal every other game to lead some supporters to consider him the club’s best striker since Alan Shearer.
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This led most to wonder what could have been for the former Bournemouth man on Tyneside. However, since returning to action from a hamstring injury last month, Wilson is already making up for lost time.
Four goals in seven games - combined with the two scored before his setback - has given Southgate no choice but to pick the Newcastle man. A five-year dream is now realised as he will be on the plane to Qatar next week.
Posting on Instagram after the news, Wilson reminisced about a period in 2017 when, as a Bournemouth player, he was staging a comeback from a torn ACL. Ironically, the striker received treatment in Qatar - the country where he will represent England on the biggest stage of all.
“(It is an) absolute honour to be called up to represent my country for a World Cup,” Wilson shared. “(It is) something I’ve dreamed about since a little boy and will cherish every moment of!
“In 2017, while recovering from my second ACL injury in Qatar, having never represented my country at this point. I said to myself before I left ‘I will be back to play in the 2022 World Cup’
“Dedication and hard work shows how you can achieve anything! I can’t wait to meet up with the lads and work even harder together now to achieve greatness.”
Wilson's Newcastle team-mate Kieran Trippier was also called up and he expressed his delight on Instagram.
"Delighted to be called up to represent @england at this year's World Cup," he said.
"It’s always an honour to be involved with the squad and I can’t wait to meet up with the boys, let’s do everyone proud!"
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