Alan Shearer believes Callum Wilson should go to the World Cup over Brentford forward Ivan Toney. The Newcastle legend has also included Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier in his squad.
Wilson has scored three goals in as many games for Newcastle but was withdrawn at half-time in Newcastle's 4-1 victory over Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday.
Fortunately, Wilson is not a World Cup concern, and instead was taken off as a precaution after complaining of feeling light-headed after a week of illness.
"In attack, I've left out Brentford's Ivan Toney and gone for Tammy Abraham and Callum Wilson," Shearer wrote in The Athletic. "I understand that if England are to win the World Cup they're almost certain to have to win a penalty shootout somewhere down the line.
"I understand the clamour for Toney to be involved, but I'd be a bit concerned about how his physicality might be viewed by referees at the highest level. Wilson has longstanding fitness issues but has been brilliant for Newcastle United."
The full-back positions are one of the biggest grey areas for England manager Gareth Southgate. Reece James and Kyle Walker are fighting to be fit for the tournament, while Ben Chilwell is expected to miss the World Cup with a torn hamstring.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been struggling for form of late and has never been a regular in the starting XI under Southgate. Trippier, meanwhile, has featured in all 13 league games in a Newcastle defence that has conceded just 11 goals this season (the best defensive record in the Premier League).
Trippier has also captained Newcastle in all but one of their top-flight games in the absence of skipper Jamaal Lascelles
Shearer's England World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope.
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Ben White, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Harry Maguire, Eric Dier, John Stones.
Midfielders: Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Callum Wilson, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Tammy Abraham.
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