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Harvey Barnes has scored 12 goals for Newcastle United this season Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes will not be switching allegiance to Scotland before the World Cup, head coach Steve Clarke has confirmed. The 28-year-old, who has one England cap from a friendly against Wales in October 2020, is eligible for Scotland through his maternal grandparents. However, Clarke revealed Barnes has turned down the opportunity to play for a place in his squad. "It's the perennial question, everybody keeps asking me about it, " Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live. "This time I can say for sure, Harvey's going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he's not going to come to Scotland. " Scotland to meet Switzerland in Nations League Clarke added: "You can put that one out there. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more. "Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on. " Barnes has scored 12 goals for Newcastle this season, having moved to St James' Park from Leicester City in the summer of 2023. Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland There are luxury watches I would like, but can't have. And I am still able to tell the time and manage very well without them. Scotland have done a good job without Harvey Barnes and there's an old saying about not missing what you've never had. Would his inclusion in the national squad enhance our chances at the forthcoming World Cup? Of course. Barnes is a fantastic player, who has proved it at the highest level. He has five Champions League goals this season. It would also significantly bolster an area in which Scotland are lacking. With Ben Gannon-Doak sidelined through long-term injury, Clarke is left without real pace in attack and a dangerous out-ball. Barnes is a talent we could do with, but can also live without. Rather than ponder on what might have been, the focus should be on getting the best out of those players who have got Scotland to the big show in North America. Premier League: Reaction as Arsenal held by Brentford and miss chance to extend lead Winter Olympics: Day six of Milan-Cortina Games - follow latest news Copa del Rey: Atletico Madrid put four past Barcelona in semi-final first leg A steamy look at cinema’s seductive language of flirtation A brilliant reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Four women join forces to expose a dangerous predator Why do politicians 'stumble' from one crisis to the next? 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs 'Shocking' or correct - why Ukrainian skeleton slider was banned Tuchel deal delights FA - but timing has echoes of Capello decision Did Dyche deserve the sack at Nottingham Forest? Lucky break that changed Alexander-Arnold's Real future Frank's downfall: Inside his struggle to get players and fans onboard GB's Weston bids for skeleton gold - Friday's guide 'England the perfect game for Scotland's salvation army' In Pictures: The best of the Winter Olympics - day by day How Team GB is leading the way in curling's arms race Pilates pain and spotting space - how Ford stays in England fly-half fight at 32 Malinin, Minion and Milan's most emotional moment Why British coach is 'game-changer' for Super Bowl winners & NFL From 1% chance of survival to Super Bowl winner Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.