Newcastle United 2-0 Athletic Club: Joe Buck reaction
Thomas Tuchel has called up three Newcastle United players for November’s World Cup qualifiers as the tournament next summer grows closer.
Pope has earned a recall and replaces Manchester City’s James Trafford, who made the October squad. Burn, fresh off scoring a wonderful header in the Champions League in midweek, and Gordon both keep their spots as the fight for a place at the World Cup grows fiercer with big-name players Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden returning to the fold.
Meanwhile, Newcastle youngsters Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley have both been named in Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 squad for their Euro qualifying fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia. The senior side have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and did so in emphatic fashion by thrashing Latvia 5-0 last month, and will host Serbia on 13 November before travelling to Albania on 16 November.
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When asked about whether he has thought about his squad for the World Cup taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer, Tuchel said his focus was on the current England camps.
“I have a settled mind but I will also be open because I know anything can happen,” the German boss said in his press conference earlier today. “You don't wish for injuries but it can happen in short notice. "My thoughts now is more for the camps for September, October and November. But my thoughts for the World Cup will then start after this camp and the qualification phase is over. This was an important cycle for me and this is the third part of the cycle, so it's not finished. This is where all the attention goes now.”
Tuchel on Anthony Gordon and his fitness levels
Newcastle United's English midfielder Anthony Gordon.placeholder image
Newcastle United's English midfielder Anthony Gordon. | Getty Images.
The England boss discussed Gordon, who has been in excellent form in Europe for the Magpies this season, scoring four and assisting another in four Champions League league phase games so far. But the former Everton winger has been struggling a bit with his fitness. Tuchel reassured the forward and his club that he will not take “unnecessary risks” on these issues.
"He gives intensity, hunger and physical input that is very rare to find and helps us a lot to build a team identity that we need,” Tuchel said when discussing his squad announcement. “He puts the effort in, and he is relentless.
"We are aware he has been subbed twice for minor issues. We are in close contact with the Newcastle medical staff on a very trustful and professional level. "We decided to call him up and my last information is that we have a chance he will come to the camp and we will take care of him. "We will not take any unnecessary risk. Players' health is always first."
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