Jamaal Lascelles maintains that his primary focus is keeping Newcastle in the Premier League this season – and hopes doing will result in an England call-up.
The Magpies are 15th in the table and two points above the bottom three after the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last weekend with a trip to Anfield to face Champions League chasing Liverpool beckoning on Saturday.
A win on Merseyside would significantly boost Newcastle’s survival hopes ahead of a crunch, must-win game against relegation rivals Southampton at St James’ Park a week later.
And club captain Lascelles insists that he is determined to lead Newcastle to safety and believes it could lead to him catching the eye of England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of the World Cup in Russia this summer.
“It would be great, but the only way I can get there is to put in consistent performances for Newcastle. My focus is on staying up,” he explained to the Sunderland Echo.
“It is every kid’s dream to play for England, of course, but I know I have no chance if I am not giving my absolute all to keep Newcastle in the Premier League.
“The England manager has his set players. He has centre-halves who have been established in the Premier League for some time and I think it will take a lot to edge them out.
“If I keep doing my job, though, I do think I have got a good chance.”
