09 September 2023 , 20:48
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Harvey Barnes is open to switching his international allegiance and could represent Scotland at the European Championship.
The Newcastle winger has one cap for England, earned in a friendly against Wales three years ago. But Barnes, 25, has since been cut adrift by Gareth Southgate, not even making the Three Lions' provisional 55-man squad ahead of the World Cup last winter.
Southgate has a plethora of left-wing options at his disposal, meaning that the former Leicester star's chances of featuring at next summer's Euros in Germany are slim. Steve Clarke's side are on course to reach Euro 2024 thanks to their stellar qualifying campaign, currently top of a group which includes recent two-time European champions Spain by nine points - although they've played two games more.
Barnes is therefore weighing up a switch of allegiance to Scotland as he's eligible to represent the Tartan Army through his grandparents and can still choose to represent them thanks to not playing competitively for England. According to the Times, the 25-year-old is open-minded about the opportunity after previously turning down advances from the Scottish FA chiefs.
Scotland's emphatic 3-0 win away to Cyprus on Friday means that they're almost certain to qualify as one of the top two sides in Group A, with just three matches remaining. Barnes' addition to the squad would be a coup for Clarke and co, who lack quality options in wide forward areas.
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Ahead of the last Euros postponed to 2021, he told Sky Sports before being ruled out of the tournament through injury: "As an English player the European Championship has to be a motivation, to make sure you're in that squad at the end of the season. Everyone can see the strength in depth and quality England have, so it's not an easy task for anyone."
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Harvey Barnes has only made one England cap which came in a friendly (Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)Now, though, Barnes could follow a number of English-born players to switch their allegiance. Scotland hero Scott McTominay is one, having made 42 caps since making the decision to his turn his back on playing for England in 2018. Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash is another example for Barnes to follow, now turning out for Poland.
Newcastle's £39million man made a fast start to life at St James' Park, registering a goal and one assist on his debut after coming on as a second-half substitute. Since then, Barnes has failed to add to either of his tallies in three further sub appearances.
His lack of a competitive start has prompted Newcastle legend Alan Shearer to suggest that manager Eddie Howe is saving Barnes for the Champions League. The Magpies begin their European campaign on September 19 away to AC Milan, having also been drawn in a star-studded group which contains Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking to Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer explained: "It won't be long [until Newcastle are starting him]. Just waiting for Champions League football to start, Gary, and then he can play."