JESSE LINGARD has revealed he needs ‘regular football’ to have any hope of making Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad.
The Manchester United man was linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, but ended up staying to fight for his place in the first team.
But since the start of the new campaign the 28-year-old has made just three Premier League appearances – all from the bench.
And across those games he has played just a combined 45 minutes of Prem football.
However that did include a dramatic winner against old club West Ham, and now another call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad after netting against Andorra last month.
Lingard also netted after coming off the bench in the 4-1 win against Newcastle in September – the same day as Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional return.
Yet in an England press conference, Lingard admitted to reporters: “Obviously, the World Cup is a long way away but… you need regular football.
“I was so close to going to the Euros and I think obviously it plays a huge part and it’s a big factor.
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“If you’re playing over 20 or 25 games, of course you know you’re knocking on the door so I think it does play a big part in that.
“I’m not doing any harm at the moment – if I keep performing well and doing well you never know what might happen so I keep confident in myself and when I get when I get time on the pitch I’ve got to carry on doing what I’m doing.
“You want to start games. When I’m a sub I’m always ready to play. I’m always ready to be needed when I’m called up.
“It’s one of those things I’m going through at the moment but I think on recent performances hopefully we’ll see a change in the next few weeks.”
Lingard’s impressive performances on loan at West Ham in the second half of last season saw him called up to Southgate’s preliminary Euro 2020 squad.
He netted nine goals in 16 games for David Moyes’ side, as well as providing five assists.
Ultimately Lingard failed to make the cut for Southgate’s final squad for England’s Euro 2020 campaign, but was immediately recalled for September’s internationals.
But Lingard has hinted that he needs to be playing at least 20-25 games per-season to force his way into Southgate’s World Cup plans.
The Red Devils academy graduate remains linked with a move away from Old Trafford, and has even been urged to swap Old Trafford for pastures new by club legend Gary Neville.
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