Callum Wilson is giving up 700-MILE trips to see family in a bid to make England’s World Cup squad

Callum Wilson has admitted he is avoiding gruelling 700-mile round trips to see relatives to maximise his chances of playing for England at the World Cup.

The Newcastle striker’s family lives in Poole, Dorset on the south coast, leaving the 30-year-old with a gruelling and time-consuming journey to see them on his days off.

But Wilson told the Sun he will now move them up on Tyneside so he can work on recovery sessions when he is not due to be training.

Callum Wilson (pictured) has admitted he is avoiding gruelling 700-mile round trips to see relatives in order to maximise his chances of playing for England at the Qatar 2022 World Cup

Wilson got four caps in 2018-19, scoring once against the US, but has not appeared since then

He said: ‘I know I need to stay fit. It’s been frustrating and I’m putting things in place off the field I know can add small percentages to contribute. Basically, my family still live in Poole down in Dorset. Travelling back and forth to see them after games and on days off probably contributed to having setbacks over the last two years. 

‘I’m going to move them up with me. That is going to minimise travel so on my days off I’ll actually be going to the training ground for recovery. It’s the only thing that has changed from before. The season before I joined Newcastle I played 39 games — but that’s dropped each season here.

‘When you have an injury, if you don’t then build up that accumulative load you can get another injury because your body is not robust enough. 

‘This will stand me in good stead. I want to be fit and firing from the start of next season to give myself the best opportunity to represent my country at a World Cup. That is my driving motivation this summer.’ 

Wilson revealed impressing Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate was his ‘driving motivation’

Former Bournemouth striker Wilson received four caps in 2018-19, scoring once against the United States, but has not appeared for the Three Lions since then.

However, when fit, his Premier League scoring pedigree is strong, with 20 league goals in 44 games since signing for the Toon for around £20m in 2020.

Niggly injuries to his hamstring, thigh and calf have hindered his fitness at Newcastle, but two goals on the final day of the season to relegate Burnley served as a timely reminder of his talents. 

And as he revealed fellow striker Chris Wood’s arrival in January would bring out the ‘dog’ in him, he had a simple message for the rich Saudi owners looking to add further firepower up front: ‘Bring in who you like’.