England's Ivan Toney has said that he "would like" to be operating alongside another forward in the Three Lions XI at Euro 2024, but the 28-year-old has "respect" for Gareth Southgate's calls.

Toney received his first minutes of Euro 2024 on Sunday, being introduced in the final stages of England's last-16 contest with Slovakia.

What looked to be a short appearance turned into 30 minutes, as Jude Bellingham took the match to extra-time by levelling in the final exchanges, before Harry Kane scored early in extra-time to make it 2-1 to England.

Toney combined with Kane for England's second, and the Brentford forward has now opened up on his ideal set-up for the national side, believing that he could thrive in a front two.

"The quality and the character we have in the group as everyone saw in the dying moments, everyone thought we were dead and buried," Toney told reporters ahead of Saturday's quarter-final with Switzerland.

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Toney made a telling contribution against Slovakia

"We knew there would be a chance for someone. It fell to Jude [Bellingham] and Jude did what Jude does and stuck it in the back of the net.

"I am not the manager. I would like to be playing as a two, but that is up to the gaffer so you have to respect that. If I am asked to play - in a one or a two - I will do my best for the squad.

"It's always going to be tough, it's tough for all of us as we play week out for our clubs. I have been in this position before and when I get an opportunity I'll take it.

"He's [Southgate] been great. I mean what goes on, how things happen, you have just got to get on and move forward. I don't want people to feel sorry for me too much, or put their arms around me. I'm a grown man. I'm here now, representing my country, that's all I can look forward to.

"I feel like, people call them substitutes, others finishers. I think you have to be ready and there's more than 11 players needed to win a tournament.

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Toney is again expected to be on the bench against Switzerland

"We know the next role. You see towards the end of the game there were a lot of attacking players on the pitch and we had to shuffle everyone about, players playing in positions they don't usually play. But the quality of players we have are capable of doing that."

Toney also said that his side are expecting "a tough game" against Switzerland, who navigated their way past Italy in the last-16 stage of the competition.

"It's going to be a tough game, there's some quality players [in the Switzerland side]. They're a great side and doing well in the tournament so far. Full respect to them. We just concentrate on ourselves, concentrate on what we can do best," he added.

"Hopefully the [England] players are more than enough to win the game. Every game is a battle. We just have to be up for the test, ready to work hard and be ready for the fight that the Swiss will put up."

Switzerland will bring an eight-game unbeaten run into Saturday's quarter-final, while they have only lost one of their last 18 matches in all competitions.

Written by
Matt Law