Aston Villa centre back Ezri Konsa is reportedly in line for an England World Cup call-up after enjoying an outstanding 2020-21 season.

Gareth Southgate or one of his leading scouts will be at St James’ Park to check up on the 23-year-old against Newcastle on Friday before making a decision on whether to fast-track him into the squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Waistcoat will name his squad in a week’s time, with the gaffer already impressed by Konsa after watching him ball out against Leicester and Leeds recently.

After winning the World Cup with England’s Under-20s in 2017, Konsa has won seven caps at Under-21 level and has continued to go from strength to strength ever since.

After signing from Brentford for just £12 million, the Londoner has become one of the most reliable centre backs in the league at Villa Park – and a Three Lions call-up is now rumoured to be pending.

Keep it locked to VERSUS to find out Southgate’s England squad in a week’s time.