Former England midfielder Paul Merson has said that he'd be 'shocked' if Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson didn't go to the World Cup in Qatar next month.
Wilson hasn't played for the Three Lions in over three years with his last game for his country being a 14-minute appearance in a 6-0 win over Bulgaria in a European Championships qualifying match.
However, pundits and fans alike are clambering for England boss Gareth Southgate to choose the 30-year-old after his six goals in 13 games for Newcastle this season.
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Writing in his latest column for Sky Sports, Merson pointed out those ahead of Wilson in the pecking order but explained the Magpies striker still needs a seat on the plane.
"I think Rashford goes to the World Cup, he's an absolute shoo-in. He can play in a few positions, out wide, through the middle, and still make a difference. England haven't got many players who can play out wide and up front and still have a presence.
"Rashford has been around for a while; he's got experience even though he's a young lad. I know he got left out of the last squad, but I would be shocked if he wasn't on the plane to Qatar.
"What Rashford has over the likes of Callum Wilson and Ivan Toney, who are out and out centre-forwards, is his versatility. Wilson and Toney are straight down the middle, while Rashford can do a job on the left or right if needed in a three-man attack. That is why I think Rashford should get the nod, he can do jobs others cannot.
"I like Wilson and Toney, I'd be shocked if Wilson didn't go to the World Cup. I've said it from day one, Wilson has international movement. He plays on the shoulder; his movement is phenomenal.
"If England are ever in trouble and need a goal, Gareth Southgate needs to look at his bench. Wilson gets goals in the six-yard box, there is an art to that, an art the other England forwards with the exception of Kane haven't mastered."
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