Jermain Defoe has backed Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to shine for England - but believes that Newcastle striker Callum Wilson could still be Gareth Southgate's wildcard.
Harry Kane is expected lead the line barring injury or suspension, but the recent friendlies which he missed with a knock gave Southgate a look at his options beyond the Bayern Munich talisman. Watkins got the nod for Saturday's disappointing 1-0 defeat against Brazil, before Toney started - and scored a penalty - during the Three Lions' thrilling 2-2 draw with Belgium on Tuesday.
Defoe knows a thing or two about seizing an unlikely opportunity, having done so at the World Cup in 2010, and he's backing the current crop of forwards to do something similar. During the tournament in South Africa, the then-Tottenham striker scored the decisive goal in England's 1-0 win against Slovenia, booking an eventual 4-1 defeat to Germany in the round of 16.
Defoe had needed be patient for his opportunity under Fabio Capello, having started on the bench for the previous two group games. But when the time came to partner Wayne Rooney, the now-retired Premier League star took his chance.
Fast forward 14 years and the Three Lions will face Slovenia once again in their third and final group game, this time at Euro 2024 in Germany. With just under three months to go, discussions are being held over which strikers should be picked alongside Kane, and Toney and Watkins are in the driving seat.
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Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football on behalf of Soccer Aid for Unicef, Defoe pointed out that both forwards offer different qualities: "Ollie Watkins is a goalscorer. Ivan Toney, you know, he's confident, scores goals. He's different sort of player to Ollie Watkins, he's more of a focal point."
Defoe then brought up ex-teammate Wilson, who hasn't played for Newcastle since February 10 and as things stand, would be a surprise call-up if he makes it into Southgate's final 23 - or 26 if UEFA give in to managers' pleas over squad size.
"I think if he can keep himself fit he's someone that can score goals," Defoe noted. "I've always liked Callum, I played with him a little bit at Bournemouth. He's a goalscorer, a good finisher and calm in front of goal."
But it's not just Kane's deputies who can provide the goals, but also England's abundance of wide forwards. "Jarrod Bowen, the hat-trick hero [for West Ham against Brentford last month]," Defoe added. "I keep saying that he's someone who can be a surprise and probably go to a tournament and make an impact. But in terms of the forward areas, there's so many options.
Your turn! Which backup strikers should Gareth Southgate select? Give us your picks in the comments section.
Brentford's Ivan Toney is back available following his eight-month ban (Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Ollie Watkins has scored 22 goals in 41 games for Aston Villa this season (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)"Phil Foden, who's been amazing, but when you go to a tournament, it's not just about obviously the team that starts. The squad is so important. You know, players that don't start at the beginning of the tournament might end up in the team and might become one of the most important players in the tournament.
"We've seen it over the years but in those forward areas, there's loads of players who can definitely make an impact. But Ivan Toney Ollie Watkins are two."
So what advice would the current Spurs youth coach give to those who start this summer on the bench? "I always say it to the young players at Tottenham that you always have to be ready," he replied. "Whether that's if you're at a tournament and you're not in the team, things can change at any moment.
"Players get injured, suspensions like I remember in South Africa. I think the first training session, Rio Ferdinand did his cruciate, so you have to always be ready. Every training session, you have to be switched on to the information and just keep yourself ready.
"I think these players, they're professional. They know at any moment you can get an opportunity and you've got to take it, especially at a tournament, that sort of level. That's the pinnacle. So, you know, those those sort of like, concentration levels are so vital. But they're all top players anyway."
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Callum Wilson is being backed for Euro 2024 - if he can stay fit (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Defoe himself also hopes to be on the scoresheet for England in June, as he lines up at Stamford Bridge for Soccer Aid. "We're due a win!" he made sure to note, with the Rest of the World winning the last four editions.
"To be back involved is obviously good. I enjoyed it last year, the whole build-up, seeing some familiar faces - obviously people who I've never met before as well. The most important thing is trying to raise as much money as possible for all the kids around the world who are suffering and give them a chance of life. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to it and hopefully this year we can win."
Soccer Aid for Unicef 2024 takes place on Sunday, June 9 at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, with tickets available at www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets.
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