DAN Gosling is hoping for a call from Stuart Pearce this week – not so much for the chance to wear the Three Lions, but just to get a game.

The midfielder is on standby for Pearce’s England Under-21s, who entertain Iceland on Thursday. While Newcastle United club-mate Sammy Ameobi was yesterday elevated to the squad, Gosling is still waiting despite Jack Rodwell’s promotion to the senior ranks.

With football hard to come by at St James’ Park, he would benefit from more playing time.

Gosling’s appearance against old club Everton was only his fifth this season, his only starts coming in the League Cup.

“I’ll be waiting by the phone in case Stuart Pearce decides he wants to ring me,” he said. “It’s always a privilege to play for your country, but from a personal point of view, I also need games so it would be nice to be involved. I haven’t had too many games this year, so it would be good for me to go away and play in a couple of matches.”

Gosling’s progress has been hindered by the form of a side who equalled Newcastle’s longest unbeaten start to a Premier League season with victory over the Toffeemen. Their 11-game run equals the start to 1994-95.

The side was built around an ever-present central midfield of Cheick Tioté and Yohan Cabaye, but both have succumbed to injury. Tioté missed the last two matches with a knee problem, while Cabaye is set for a scan in Paris today on the groin strain which forced him off at the weekend. As Les Bleus’ upcoming games are friendlies (at home to the USA and Belgium), Newcastle will hope Laurent Blanc errs on the side of caution.

“It’s hard to complain too much about not being in the side because the team have been playing brilliantly and you don’t change a winning team,” Gosling reasoned. “There’s always going to be injuries and suspensions throughout the season, and even though it’s taken ten or 11 games, I’ve finally got a chance.