STEVE CLARKE is preparing to sound out Newcastle star Harvey Barnes on a sensational World Cup call-up.
The Scotland boss wants to know if the Burnley-born midfielder genuinely wants to pull on a dark blue jersey.
Barnes, 28, has played once for England but hinted last month he could be prepared to switch allegiances as he qualifies through his grandparents.
And Clarke will now reach out to his representatives early in the New Year to find out if he’s fully committed.
Barnes could even make his Scotland debut at his home ground St James’ Park with the SFA looking to arrange a friendly there against an African nation in March to prepare for the summer clash with Morocco.
Clarke said: “We both have each other’s phone numbers.
“I don’t know is the honest answer to that one. I will wait and see how it pans out.
“There have been loads of names, loads of club managers and agents putting their players forward.
“They have to be good. They have to be committed, they have to want to play for Scotland.
“I will be able to take 26 players, that has been decided.
“So there are some spaces there, but not too many.
“We should be very grateful and loyal to the players that have got us there, I think that is very important.
“That is something we have built over the last six and a half years. We have built a trust with this group of players that we understand each other.
“If you want to get into this squad then you have to be good and committed and there will be some spaces.”
Clarke called up English-born striker Che Adams ahead of the delayed 2020 Euros and insists any new player would be welcomed by the rest of the squad.
He added: “Football players are quite selfish, they like to think if someone is going to help them be better and the team to be better….
“Like I said, as long as they come and they are committed then I am pretty sure anyone who comes into this group of players will enjoy it.
“It is a really good, honest, hard-working group of players. Anyone who came in I think will struggle not to enjoy it. Let’s see what happens.”
Clarke plans to take some younger players as part of his squad even if they’re not playing regular top team football with their clubs.
He added: “We have some younger one who could possibly benefit from being in a World Cup squad.
“It doesn’t happen very often. So to get that experience into one or two of the younger ones would be good.
“I will use Lennon Miller as an example. He has obviously gone top Udinese and is not playing very much now, but as long as he gets adequate minutes between now and the end of the season, you would probably take Lennon.
“Even if was not playing regularly for his club you would take him for the experience because he is one for the future.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Read the full article here
