Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe believes Callum Wilson could act as an effective wildcard option for England at this summer's European Championship.

Wilson has fallen down the pecking order at international level due to the various injury troubles he has faced this season, enabling Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to test themselves in Gareth Southgate's squad. The Newcastle United striker faces a battle to get kit and return to form ahead of Euro 2024 or risks being left out of the final squad altogether. Harry Kane will of course be Southgate's first-choice option in attack, ensuring the likes of Wilson, Toney and Watkins will be left to battle it out for additional opportunities.

Defoe, who was forced to remain patient for his chance to shine at the 2010 World Cup, sees parallels to the current competition for places in this part of the pitch and believes Wilson should be part of the conversation.

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Speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of Soccer Aid, the 41-year-old said: "Ollie Watkins is a goalscorer. Ivan Toney, you know, he's confident, scores goals. He's different sort of player to Ollie Watkins, he's more of a focal point."

Making a case for Wilson, he continued: "I think if he can keep himself fit he's someone that can score goals. I've always liked Callum, I played with him a little bit at Bournemouth. He's a goalscorer, a good finisher and calm in front of goal.

"We've seen it over the years but in those forward areas, there's loads of players who can definitely make an impact. But Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins are two."

Explaining why Wilson's chances of making this summer's England squad may yet be far from over, Defoe added: "Players get injured, suspensions like I remember in South Africa [2010 World Cup]. I think the first training session, Rio Ferdinand did his cruciate, so you have to always be ready. Every training session, you have to be switched on to the information and just keep yourself ready.

"I think these players, they're professional. They know at any moment you can get an opportunity and you've got to take it, especially at a tournament, that sort of level. That's the pinnacle. So, you know, those those sort of like, concentration levels are so vital. But they're all top players anyway."