CALLUM WILSON is hoping his match-winning display against Aston Villa will have strengthened his claims for a World Cup spot next month, with England manager, Gareth Southgate, having been an interested onlooker in the St James’ Park stands.

With Southgate watching on, Wilson scored two goals, claimed two assists for goals from Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, and hit the crossbar as he went in search of a hat-trick as Newcastle thrashed Villa 4-0 to remain in the Champions League places.

The 30-year-old has been in sparkling form since returning from injury at the start of the month, scoring four goals in the space of six games, and while he did not know Southgate was in the directors’ box prior to kick-off at the weekend, he is hoping he made a positive impression.

“I didn’t know (he was there),” said Wilson. “For me, I’m the type of player that if I do or I don’t know, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the day. For me, when you step over the white line and you’ve got Newcastle’s shirt on, you try to give everything every game, on and off the ball.

“I was just delighted to get the two goals and help the team, and if it does me a bit of credit with the international set-up, then all I can do is keep doing my talking here with Newcastle.”

While Harry Kane remains firmly established as England’s number one centre-forward, the support cast for Qatar remains a source of considerable debate.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is gradually returning to full fitness after being sidelined for the best part of a year, but remains an injury risk, while Tammy Abraham failed to impress when given a chance during England’s ill-fated Nations League campaign in the summer.

Ivan Toney was selected for last month’s Nations League matches, but was not given any time on the pitch, while Marcus Rashford appears to have slipped down the international pecking order as Ollie Watkins and Patrick Bamford have disappeared from the conversation entirely.

Wilson won the most recent of his four international caps in a 6-0 win over Bulgaria in October 2019, but his recent form must make a strong challenger for a squad spot next month.

“I’ve been asked numerous times about England, and I’ve told people what I think and how I feel, my goals and ambitions, but it was time for me to put all of that to bed,” he continued, in an interview with NUFC TV. “I’ve answered the questions about it, so it’s time for me to let my football do the talking now.

“It’s time for me to go out there and perform. I’ve tried to do that, and that’s all I can do, keep putting my name forward. I can just show what I’m about, then hopefully, we’ll see where we end up.”

Wilson was justifiably pleased with his performance at the weekend, although he admits it still came tinged with a degree of disappointment.

“I hit the crossbar, I was having shots with my left foot trying to get the third goal, but that hat-trick for Newcastle has still not come,” he said.

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