QATAR HERO

Defender's ready to go Dutch for glory | NEW NEWCASTLE STAR SVEN BOTMAN EXCLUSIVE

- Simon Bird

SVEN BOTMAN is hoping for a late Qatar World Cup call up – after Eddie Howe insisted he can become a Premier League defensive great.

The Newcastle star is the next Virgil van Dijk, signed for £32million in the summer and has been integral to his side becoming the meanest defence in the Premier League with just 10 goals conceded in 13 top-flight games.

The Dutchman, 22, has made 12 appearances for Newcastle and has not tasted defeat yet. In those games, the left-sided centre-back has been part of a team who've conceded just eight goals and racked up six clean sheets.