Joe Cole believes Ivan Toney has secured his place as England's back-up striker at this summer's European Championship after impressing in Tuesday's friendly against Belgium.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate is widely expected to choose between Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Toney for the place as England's support striker to Harry Kane.
The Brentford star impressed with his physicality and ball control as he made his first start for England in the most recent Wembley encounter that saw Jude Bellingham snatch a late equaliser for the hosts.
Toney only made his return to Premier League football in January after serving an eight-month ban from football for gambling and has quickly rediscovered his best form.
A place at a first major tournament with England is up for grabs and Cole believes Toney's performance against Belgium edges him ahead of Watkins for a place in the squad.
Additionally heaping praise on Man United youngster Kobbie Mainoo, Cole told Channel 4: 'I'd put them [Mainoo and Toney] in my squad.
'I think more crucial tonight was for Toney, because I think he needed to show on the big stage that he could handle it. He could hold the ball up. It could offer the team something.
'Harry Kane is going to play you know, as long as he's got two legs and two arms he's going to play but Ivan Tony now showed that he can handle the pressure of playing for England,' he said.
Toney restored England on level terms against Belgium from the penalty spot after converting from 12-yards with a cool finish into the bottom corner.
Mainoo provided the assist before Toney was hacked down in the area by former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.
The 28-year-old opened his England account and became the first player to score a penalty on his opening Three Lions start since Allan Clarke at the 1970 World Cup.
Continuing to heap praise on Toney, Cole further added: 'Coolest man in Wembley, absolute specialist at penalties and maybe that comes into Gareth's thinking when deciding through Toney and Watkins.'
Toney has scored 30 career penalties, missing only twice from the spot with his solitary Premier League scuff coming against Newcastle in April last year.
Vuyelopy
1
somalia
Lidclrtuyz
0
How does Toney impressed ??
Pumacdstu
0
This guy is a super striker but please don't disrespect Kane he has done so much for England and there's no comparison between the two.
You don't understand something at all
Davichi
4
You can't compare Watkins to Toney.
caoacdeioz
1
Agree toney will go
Bruce2019
0
Are u ok, tony can't be better than kane, kane is a full package
did you read the article?
AzuNna2003
1
This guy is a super striker but please don't disrespect Kane he has done so much for England and there's no comparison between the two.
Yidabmnou
0
Are u ok, tony can't be better than kane, kane is a full package
Chocboi78
0
Toney is better than Harry Kane.
He’s not even up to watkins level
Rusted_Heart
0
maybe he missed the pen against Newcastle cause he had betted against himself scoring 😭😭💔
AbSixers
0
If Southgate is brilliant enough England needs to go to Euro 24 with their three best performing England strikers.... Harry Kane, Ivan Toney & Ollie Watkins.
and Kane will play the whole minutes of the tournament, so what is the need of taking 3 strikers there
ZackieNowell
0
Toney is better than Harry Kane.
Well it's your choice, but I will pick Kane over him because of Kane's all round play.
ZackieNowell
0
If Southgate is brilliant enough England needs to go to Euro 24 with their three best performing England strikers.... Harry Kane, Ivan Toney & Ollie Watkins.
malablata
3
Toney is better than Harry Kane.