Can Welbeck's Indian summer lead to a World Cup recall?

Brighton striker is in the best form of his career at 34 and England could yet have a vacancy, says John Brewin

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Age appears no barrier for Thomas Tuchel's England. An 18-month contract as a one-shot deal - North America or bust - brings little need to plan for the future. Any legacy is in the success or failure of Mission 2026, hence the expected presence of "good tourist" Jordan Henderson, 36 less than a week after the World Cup kicks off.

Though Harry Kane is immovable, undroppable, there may yet be a vacancy for an athletic, intelligent, hardworking forward, capable of linking play and leading the press, should Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke falter. Anyone meeting the demands of modern forward play: apply within.

The top-scoring Englishmen in this season's Premier League on four each are Burnley's uncapped Jaidon Anthony, also eligible for Jamaica, and Danny Welbeck, whose last game for his country was at the 2018 World Cup. If Henderson was a Gareth Southgate mainstay, then Welbeck was a favourite of Roy Hodgson, his 16 goals in 42 appearances a decent scoring rate.

This season, Welbeck has been as good as any English striker. His finishing, as shown by predatory strikes for Brighton against Newcastle, gets better with age. The first, a falling-leaf dink, was followed by stroking home after a Dan Burn tackle set the ball loose.

"I have the passion and love for football," Welbeck said after the game. "It's what I want to do. I feel good. I feel strong and fit so I won't be stopping soon."