Pilkington bright on Blue day

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Pilkington is in the 23-man squad that will take part in the Group C World Cup Qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan later this month — along with team-mate Wes Hoolahan — and Hughton is confident that his midfielder is one of a handful of players who are about to enjoy a spell in the evolving side.

Interim boss Noel King named Pilkington in his initial 26-man side even before an impressive match against Jose Mourinho’s team in which he scored a 68th minute equaliser, after Oscar gave the visitors the lead inside four minutes, and Hughton is confident his ambidextrous playmaker will not disappoint.