Is it finally time for Callum Wilson to get the nod in attack for England in their World Cup decider against Wales on Tuesday night?
That’s the question many Newcastle United fans are asking in the build up to the crunch Group B tie, with some pundits arguing the Magpies’ striker has earned his chance. Harry Kane’s quiet night against USA in England’s second group game raised further questions about the captain’s fitness, with the Tottenham Hotspur man lacking sharpness following a foot injury he picked up against Iran.
Kane saw out 90 minutes of the goalless draw on Friday night while in-form Wilson watched on from the bench at Al Bayt Stadium, and Magpies legend Alan Shearer has led the calls for a change.
“It might be time to think about getting [Kane] right for the knockout stages, and I have a sneaky feeling Callum Wilson might come in to face Wales on Tuesday instead," said Shearer. "I can understand why Gareth Southgate stuck with the same team that had struck six goals past Iran but, after that, I can't see him doing the same again in our final game in Group B.”
Pick your England XI vs Wales below...
And England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney joined the calls for Wilson to start.
"The other big change I would make for the Wales match would be to rest Harry Kane," explained Rooney in his Sunday Times column. "Callum Wilson, as we saw when he came on against Iran, is more than capable of deputising and the priority has to be the knockout stage. Harry needs to be fresh for that.”
Now it’s time to have your say. Is it time for Callum Wilson to lead the line for England against Wales? Pick your team in the England squad selector above and join the conversation in the comments below.
