We are just weeks away from the Qatar World Cup kicking off and there is a growing feeling that there could be some late shake-ups before Gareth Southgate names his final 26-man England squad.
Although it is near impossible to see any player supplanting Harry Kane as the starting centre-forward for the Three Lions, Southgate will need a dependable understudy waiting in the wings in case the worst happens and Kane gets injured.
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This weekend saw four players who have been called up for Three Lions duty in the past get on the scoresheet in the Premier League. Callum Wilson opened the scoring as Newcastle United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1, Dominic Calvert-Lewin got off the mark for Everton against Crystal Palace, while both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins netted in Aston Villa’s surprising 4-0 thrashing of Brentford.
With just three more rounds of fixtures left for players to make an impression and force their way into the England group, The Sportsman checks out the names in the frame to join Kane as the Three Lions' second striker.
Callum Wilson (Next three matches: Aston Villa (H), Southampton (A), Chelsea (H))
The Magpies forward has missed four league games through injury this term but he has had an impact when available. With four goals to his name in the top-flight as well as one assist, he can certainly do a bit of everything, which is vital for a World Cup player.
Newcastle’s next three fixtures are favourable and if he can score in at least two of them, he could encourage Southgate to make some last-minute changes to his squad. Wilson has represented England four times in the past, earning one start and scoring one goal in a friendly against the United States.
Danny Ings/Ollie Watkins (Next three matches: Newcastle United (A), Manchester United (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (A))
Villa’s 4-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday was needed to say the least. After poor results and even worse performances the players had to deliver something special in front of the Villa Park crowd. It was positive to see the two strikers getting on the scoresheet.
Both are no stranger to an England call-up, with Ings having three caps and one goal to his name in an England shirt, while Watkins has made seven appearances, scoring two goals.
In the Premier League in 2022-23, the pair have scored five goals combined (Ings three, Watkins two), but if interim boss Aaron Danks can continue turning the club’s fortunes around before the World Cup and both strikers benefit, they could each make a late push to get into Southgate’s plans.
Ivan Toney (Next three games: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Manchester City (A))
Brentford’s leading man is the current front-runner to act as Kane’s deputy in the Middle East, and for good reason. He has eight goals in the top flight this term, with only Erling Haaland (17), Kane (10) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (nine) having scored more.
He was given his maiden call-up to the Three Lions last month but unfortunately wasn’t awarded the debut he deserved. In addition to his exceptional centre-forward play, Toney boasts an extraordinary stat that alone should earn him a seat on the plane - his penalty record for the Bees.
The striker has scored all 20 of the penalties he has been tasked with for Brentford, which is remarkable. He oozes composure each time he steps up and a player like that is worth their weight in gold during an international tournament.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Next three games: Fulham (A), Leicester City (H), AFC Bournemouth (A))
The Everton man has been injury-stricken in the last year, having only played 22 matches for the Toffees since the start of the 2021-22 season. He got his first Premier League goal of the season at the weekend in the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace and some were calling for him to earn a late selection for Qatar.
It was only back in 2020-21 that the former Sheffield United man looked like England’s standout second choice behind Kane after scoring 21 in all competitions for the Toffees. You know what you get from him performance-wise if he is fully fit, but that is a really big ‘if’. He has four goals in 11 appearances for the Three Lions.
Dominic Solanke (Next four games: West Ham United (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Leeds United (A), Everton (H))
An outside shot would be AFC Bournemouth’s Solanke, who has looked sharp for the Cherries since Gary O’Neil was placed in interim charge. He has scored twice and registered three assists as Bournemouth recently enjoyed a six-game unbeaten streak. If he could add to his tally before the mid-season break, starting at West Ham in Monday's final game of Matchday 13, he could have the potential to be the biggest plot twist of all.
His only England cap came in a friendly with Brazil back in 2017.
