Former team-mate backs Ivan Toney to shine

Ivan Toney's surprise inclusion in England 's 2026 World Cup squad is a reward for his "self-belief", according to one of the striker's former team-mates.

Toney, 30, made his professional debut at Northampton Town in 2012 and his former strike partner Marc Richards said the England international "certainly has an eye for goal".

Northampton-born Toney left the Cobblers in 2015 and now plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli following a career in England at clubs including Newcastle United , Peterborough United and Brentford .

Richards said Toney had "become a focal point for any team he plays for".

However, his inclusion by Thomas Tuchel was largely seen as a surprise, with the striker not having featured in an England squad for almost a year.

He is expected to serve as a back-up to captain Harry Kane at the World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and begins on 11 June.

Richards, now part of Northampton's coaching set-up, said Tuchel's decision to call-up Toney was "certainly from left field", but predicted Toney would "certainly feature".

He said: "If we [England] need a goal, the powers that be will rely on him to go on and come up trumps.