England manager Gareth Southgate makes his squad announcement tomorrow for the friendlies coming up and there`s a chance our club will be represented once again on the international stage for the Three Lions.
I`ve never been a big fan of friendlies mid-season and these are perhaps the most annoying with them coming plum in the middle of the business end of the campaign.
It is what it is, though, and so it`ll be interesting to see if some of our lads make the squad with just months left to the World Cup. Jonjo seems to be the most likely to get in at the moment, too, but with him only just coming back from injury, part of me wants him to be overlooked for an otherwise deserved call-up just so we can keep him out of harm`s way.
The debate has been going on on Twitter, too, after Mark Douglas opened up the discussion and so let`s take a look at what some of our fans have been saying.
‘Against a lesser nation, Jonjo Shelvey could unlock a defence’. @IanWright0 on why #nufc man should play for England: https://t.co/nOcoyzATmZ
? Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) 14 March 2018
I didn’t think Shelvey had a chance for England but there’s a lot of people talking about it seriously now. Will be interesting to see if he’s back in the squad.
? Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) 14 March 2018
My esteemed colleague @ChrisDHWaugh thinks it’s better for #nufc if they don’t get in (more time to prepare for Hudds).
I disagree – great selling point to players in the summer if #nufc have people in England squad.
? Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) 14 March 2018
Would really like them to get the recognition their form deserves but can’t help but dread a call up at this stage of the season though
? Chris Lowres (@chrislowres92) 14 March 2018
They both should be in the england team
? Andy – NUFC (@AndrewJamesNUFC) 14 March 2018
He won’t get a call up, he’s got a reputation.
? Danny Brown (@DannyBroooon) 14 March 2018
amazed that there is serious talk of Shelvey getting in the squad but not Lascelles.
IMO, Shelvey talk is only because of two brilliant performances in the last two home games. I think it sums up one of England`s main problems that the talk even exists.
? Jonathan Drape-Comyn (@JonathanComyn) 14 March 2018
For me he needs to keep his recent form up for a longer spell. So far this season he’s been a bit on and off, I’m not sure he’s earned a place.
? Finbar Evans (@finbar_evans) 14 March 2018
Selfishly hope him and Lascelles don`t make the friendly squads but somehow make the summer ones. Both far too important for our survival hopes
? Bobby Gibson (@bobbynufcgibson) 14 March 2018
And the cynic in me sees Ashley seeing £signs as the player’s value goes up
? Dave Ingebrigtsen (@daveyinge) 14 March 2018
Doubt Shelvey will be in this squad with his niggling injury, NUFC will want him rested rather than play with the need of injections.
? Aaran Driver (@Aaran_Driver) 14 March 2018
Not only that Mark, it`ll show Lascelles that he doesn`t need to move clubs to achieve international recognition.
? Mark (@NUFCRafalution) 14 March 2018
I understand the point of view at such a critical point in the season but always a proud moment seeing a Newcastle player in an England shirt
? Andrew (@afinley406) 14 March 2018