'Huge difficulties' - Ex-England boss backs Southgate's decision to call 30-year-old
Former England manager Roy Hodgson has praised Callum Wilson for overcoming "enormous odds" to be named in the Three Lions squad for the 2022 World Cup.
The Newcastle United striker has been included in England's squad for the tournament in Qatar.
The 30-year-old has made four caps but hasn't played for his country since October 2019.
He beat Ivan Toney of Brentford and Tammy Abraham of AS Roma for a place in the team.
Toney has been brilliant since Brentford's promotion to the Premier League, scoring 20 goals in 46 top appearances.
Wilson would probably have been more involved in the England setup if it weren't for the number of injuries he has suffered in recent years.
Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League after a brilliant start to the season under Eddie Howe.
Wilson has shone up front, scoring six goals in ten appearances, including three in his last three.
At this time last year, it was hard to see Wilson in England's World Cup squad with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Patrick Bamford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Danny Ings, Toney and Abraham who received summons more recently.< /p>
Former England manager Hodgson is a fan, however, and has welcomed his return from several injuries to go to Qatar.
"I know his background well, I've always looked up to him," Hodgson told Sky Sports before the team was officially confirmed.
"He went through tremendous hardship to get to where he is today, including coming back from numerous injury situations.
READ LATER: Southgate stuns us all with Maddison and a nice England squad for the World Cup
"I don't know much about Ivan Toney, but he has a similar background.
"He has done very well to get to where he started and where he is today.
"I think it's simply a matter of Gareth choosing which of the two players - and the qualities of the two players - suits him best.
"There is a degree of similarity, they are both players who can lead the line.
"He might be a bit tempted by the fact that Callum has a lot more experience at Premiership level, whereas Ivan has burst onto the scene this year.
"It would have been a difficult decision, whoever he chose behind Harry Kane, I would like that player to succeed."
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before facing USA and Wales.
READ NOW: Who are we to criticize Qatar? Or Gary Neville. We are all big hypocrites…
Former England manager Roy Hodgson has praised Callum Wilson for overcoming "enormous odds" to be named in the Three Lions squad for the 2022 World Cup.
The Newcastle United striker has been included in England's squad for the tournament in Qatar.
The 30-year-old has made four caps but hasn't played for his country since October 2019.
He beat Ivan Toney of Brentford and Tammy Abraham of AS Roma for a place in the team.
Toney has been brilliant since Brentford's promotion to the Premier League, scoring 20 goals in 46 top appearances.
Wilson would probably have been more involved in the England setup if it weren't for the number of injuries he has suffered in recent years.
Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League after a brilliant start to the season under Eddie Howe.
Wilson has shone up front, scoring six goals in ten appearances, including three in his last three.
At this time last year, it was hard to see Wilson in England's World Cup squad with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Patrick Bamford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Danny Ings, Toney and Abraham who received summons more recently.< /p>
Former England manager Hodgson is a fan, however, and has welcomed his return from several injuries to go to Qatar.
"I know his background well, I've always looked up to him," Hodgson told Sky Sports before the team was officially confirmed.
"He went through tremendous hardship to get to where he is today, including coming back from numerous injury situations.
READ LATER: Southgate stuns us all with Maddison and a nice England squad for the World Cup
"I don't know much about Ivan Toney, but he has a similar background.
"He has done very well to get to where he started and where he is today.
"I think it's simply a matter of Gareth choosing which of the two players - and the qualities of the two players - suits him best.
"There is a degree of similarity, they are both players who can lead the line.
"He might be a bit tempted by the fact that Callum has a lot more experience at Premiership level, whereas Ivan has burst onto the scene this year.
"It would have been a difficult decision, whoever he chose behind Harry Kane, I would like that player to succeed."
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before facing USA and Wales.
READ NOW: Who are we to criticize Qatar? Or Gary Neville. We are all big hypocrites…
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