Wednesday 14 March 2018 11:23, UK
Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson believes it would be "phenomenal achievement" if he earned a call-up to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.
Wilson has scored seven goals in the Premier League this season after recovering from a second anterior cruciate ligament injury, and the 26-year-old has been touted as a future England international.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate handed Wilson his only England U21 cap back in 2014 and the Cherries striker is hoping to make the step up to the senior side when the latest squad is announced on Thursday.
"It was a taster and it makes you want more," said Wilson, referring to his brief spell with the U21 side. "I was there, I came back to Bournemouth and we got promoted and you see an opportunity to represent the senior side.
"It has always been an ambition of mine, to make my family proud and myself proud. I'm working hard every day to fulfil that dream.
"Four or five years ago I was playing on loan in non-league and now, to be potentially representing my country one day - it would be a phenomenal achievement."
Wilson's chances of earning an England cap were boosted last weekend after Harry Kane injured his ankle during the 4-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Kane is facing a potentially lengthy spell out and Wilson has sympathy for the Spurs striker.
"It's never nice seeing a fellow professional get injured, especially a recurring injury," said Wilson.
"It's not nice, I know first-hand what it is like to get an injury and be waiting on the results of your scan. It's not a nice feeling so I send my best regards to him."
Bournemouth host bottom club West Brom on Saturday and could put nine points between themselves and the drop zone with a win over the Baggies.
However, Wilson insists Eddie Howe's side are not yet safe and is expecting a tough test this weekend.
"I don't think you're safe until you get to 40, to be honest," he said. "We've still got a lot of games to play with the teams around us and if you lose those games you get sucked back down.
"You need to get to that 40-point mark. West Brom is going to be a massive game. They're fighting for their lives, and we're still not safe so we're fighting for our lives too really.
"It is going to be a tough game."
