With Newcastle United's continued rise up the Premier League standings, questions are being posed about a number of their stars making England's World Cup squad.
(This article was originally published on 01.11.2022)
We take a look at the chances of Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson as they bid to make the cut for Gareth Southgate's final squad to head to Qatar.
| What | World Cup 2022 |
| Where | Qatar |
| When | 20th November - 18th December 2022 |
| How to watch | All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV |
| Odds | Brazil 4/1, France 6/1, Argentina 13/2, England 7/1, Spain 8/1 |
Pope has the best chance of all
Having previously earned England recognition during his time with strugglers Burnley, Pope should be one of the three goalkeepers who Southgate selects for the World Cup.
There is great competition currently for places between the sticks.
Pope, Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsdale, Everton shot stopper Jordan Pickford and Nottingham Forest loanee Dean Henderson have all been in the mix in recent squads and one of them will have to miss out.
With just 10 goals conceded in their first 13 games in the Premier League this season, Newcastle have the best defensive record in the top-flight and Pope has played a key role in this - the 30-year-old is certainly pushing his claim hard to be England's number one in Qatar.
If all are fit, Pope is likely to get the nod and battle it out with Ramsdale and Pickford for the starting role in England’s World Cup opener against Iran on 21st November.
England are 2/7 to win their opening game, with the draw at 4/1 and Iran available at 10/1 to claim the three points.
Trippier record could be crucial
With injuries and poor form hurting his competitors for a right-back spot, Trippier also looks like having a great chance of reaching the World Cup.
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester City's Kyle Walker have both had spells out with injuries, although the pair are expected to be available for selection.
Trippier enjoyed a strong World Cup in Russia four years ago and his experience in helping England reach the semi-finals will be valuable.
The 32-year-old's ability in dead-ball situations also makes him a valuable asset, especially considering the aerial threat England possess amongst their squad.
Trippier has been part of that solid defence that has helped Newcastle's climb up the table under boss Eddie Howe and the former Spurs star would be a strong addition to the England squad this winter.
Wilson making late push
In a highly-competitive area in attack, Magpies striker Wilson has been pushing his case for selection hard in recent weeks.
The former Bournemouth frontman has been forced to endure a tough time with injuries, but the 30-year-old is hoping that frustrating spell is behind him now.
Wilson's time on the sidelines has seen players such as Ivan Toney at Brentford move above him in the pecking order and time is running out to catch the eye of Southgate.
A goal in a 2-1 win over Tottenham and a brace in a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa will certainly have done Wilson's chance no harm of making the England World Cup squad.
Roma's Tammy Abraham was named in the last squad for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany in September, but his place could be under threat.
With just two Serie A goals in 12 games, Abraham has hardly been lighting up the Italian top-flight this season.
With six goals from his nine Premier League appearances, Wilson has the far more convincing record and his form could see him edge ahead of Abraham in the pecking order.
The likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden - in his new forward role - will be on the plane to Qatar if they avoid injury.
It's then set to be an intriguing battle between the likes of Wilson, Abraham, Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins to join that group for the major tournament.
Considering where Newcastle were last season before Howe's arrival at St James' Park, it's great credit to the work being done at the club that three players are being strongly considered for England's World Cup party.
From Newcastle's first England capped player in 1901 in Matt Kingsley to Geordie icon Alan Shearer, the North East outfit have a proud history of producing players for the Three Lions.
It will be another feather in the cap of the Magpies if the trio of Pope, Trippier and Wilson can not only make the final World Cup squad, but have an impact at the competition too.
