Ivan Toney will be given a make-or-break Euros audition at Wembley on Tuesday night.
England boss Gareth Southgate admitted it could effectively decide whether Toney or Ollie Watkins gets on the plane to Germany.
It is a huge chance for Toney and would also represent a remarkable comeback for the Brentford striker who only returned in January after serving an eight-month ban for breaching strict Football Association betting rules.
Toney, 28, who has just one cap as a substitute, insisted after his return for Brentford that he was targeting a place at the Euros - and now this is his last chance against Belgium in Tuesday’s friendly.
Southgate admitted that Toney knows just how big this game is for his Euros chances as England are only likely to take one other striker along with top scorer Harry Kane.
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But Southgate says Toney will know what is at stake - and will not shy away from the chance. Southgate said: “You can’t hide that fact. He knows.
“It would be his first start so you’ve got to bear that in mind as well. But with England that’s the landscape, you don’t get hundreds of opportunities. I think every player recognises that’s the world we live in.
“But he’s a confident guy, he comes in on the back of a good run of form with his club. He’s going to be on the field on Tuesday, no question.
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“Confidence is crucial, especially for forward players. That swagger, that self-belief is crucial. All of the top forward players have it.”
Toney also has a reputation as a penalty expert - having scored 29 from 31 spot kicks - and that could be crucial in a shoot-out and may give him another edge over Watkins who drew a blank against Brazil.
Toney is also putting himself in the shop window ahead of a potential summer move as he has one year left on his contract at Brentford. Arsenal have been interested but that has cooled because of his £80m price tag and they have been looking elsewhere.
Southgate admitted his record on penalties could be key and added: “It’s definitely a great asset to have. We’ve obviously got to work out the balance of the squad.
“I think sometimes the quality of his football can be underestimated. His passing, his link play. We’re still getting to know all of those strengths because until you work with a player more regularly you don’t know them inside out.
“You look at him being a big guy but he’s not just a target man. His quality in link play is very good as well.”
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