Eddie Howe hails Callum Wilson’s ‘brilliant mentality’ in bid for England call

Eddie Howe has saluted Callum Wilson’s “brilliant mentality” as he waits to see whether his latest battle to return from adversity will be rewarded with a World Cup call-up.

The 30-year-old striker is back in the Newcastle team and among the goals after a six-week lay-off with a hamstring injury, which came at the worst possible time as England boss Gareth Southgate assessed his options.

Wilson has previously fought his way back from two cruciate ligament ruptures and Magpies head coach Howe, who gave him his chance at Bournemouth, is convinced his fortitude and positivity would serve his country well in Qatar if he made it into Southgate’s 26-man squad on Thursday.

He said: “Any player has those moments, those disappointments. I don’t think you will get to Callum’s stage of his career without injuries or moments of adversity.

“But the key thing is how you respond to that and every time he has been faced with a difficult situation, he comes back stronger and better for it. I think that is the biggest compliment I can pay him.

“He’s been brilliant for me all through my management career as I’ve managed him, and personally I think he’s an incredible character to have in a squad when you’re going to try and win a cup competition because he has a brilliant mentality to win it.”

Wilson scored within 11 minutes of his return to action for the Magpies at Fulham on October 1, and has added three more goals in the six games they have played since to ease themselves into third place in the Premier League table.

England was not even mentioned as he and Howe plotted his comeback, but the Newcastle head coach knows the World Cup will have been a significant part of his motivation.

He said: “Callum is a very, very driven and motivated