Joe Cole insists Ivan Toney should make England’s Euros squad because he ‘can handle the pressure’ as the Brentford star opens his Three Lions goals account against Belgium

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.

Ivan Toney impressed on his first England start as he scored against Belgium on Tuesday

The 28-year-old opened his England goals account from the penalty spot against Belgium

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.

Former England and Chelsea star Joe Cole believes Toney should be picked for England

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.