Eddie Howe gives Callum Wilson an honest message about England’s chances

Eddie Howe is confident Callum Wilson still has what it takes to play for England as he tries to fight his way out of a personal goal doldrums.

The 31-year-old forward came on twice as a substitute for his country at the World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury just in time to join Gareth Southgate’s squad.

He joined his international team-mates after scoring six goals in 11 Premier League games but has scored just one in 12 in all competitions since returning from Qatar and missed a glorious opportunity to end his famine at the 2-0 Defeat to end last Saturday at Manchester City.

Asked if the former Bournemouth frontman still sees himself as an England player, club boss Howe said: “It’s hard for me to speak for him but I see him as an international player and I want that for him .

“I’ve never really had long conversations with players about international dreams, my focus is on Newcastle United.

“That doesn’t mean I haven’t had conversations about international football because it’s part of their DNA and a lot of players are very motivated by what they do on the international scene.

“I know Callum’s World Cup dream was very strong in his mind and he used it as a big motivational tool. But Callum has always been about more than that. It’s not just short-term goals. He has this vision that he wants to be the best in his field. He is well motivated at all levels.

“I don’t see that (the World Cup) as a big disadvantage of this experience. If anything, it was a big high. It made him want more. I would say international football is still a big driver for him.”

In the near term, Wilson’s focus is on getting back under goals as the Magpies have netted just three goals in their last eight league games to slip from third to sixth, a return that has led some fans to call Alexander Isak the Signing Rekord gets his chance against Wolves on Sunday.

However, Howe, who admitted the Sweden international is not quite ready to play 90 minutes regularly following his own injury woes, said: “Callum has an incredible attitude, he already has. He pushes himself all the time.

“You’re going to have good and bad spells in your playing career, but you always need that inner belief that you’re the best, and I think Callum has that.”