Manchester United legend Andy Cole has admitted he was "very surprised" to see Patrick Bamford left out of the latest England squad.
Bamford narrowly missed out on a maiden senior international call-up following an impressive season for Leeds United.
The 27-year-old has scored 14 goals in 29 Premier League games for Marcelo Bielsa's side in the 2020/21 campaign so far. But England boss Gareth Southgate opted to hand a first call-up to Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins instead.
Asked about Bamford's omission, Cole told talkSPORT: “I’ve got to be honest, I was surprised. We all know Bamford has been around for some time but this season at Leeds he’s been absolutely fantastic.
“Not just his work rate and the way he closes people down, but the goals he’s got.
“The manager Marcelo Bielsa believes in him and the way he’s played, the way he’s got his goals and the way he creates chances for his team-mates... he’s got nice movement too.
“When you play for Leeds, especially the way Bielsa wants you to play, as a centre-forward you’ve got to have decent movement.
"His touch and awareness of other players is also very good.
“I was very, very surprised he didn’t get the opportunity to be in this England squad.”
Watkins scored on his England debut shortly after coming off the bench in Thursday's 5-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley, while fellow striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted twice as Harry Kane was rested for the opening World Cup qualifier.
Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves, though, believes Bamford should not give up hope of making Southgate's squad for this summer's delayed European Championship finals.
“Bamford has got 14 Premier League goals this season, so he’s just got to make sure he keeps scoring,” Groves told talkSPORT.
“Because there’s going to be a lot of injuries, particularly muscle injuries, between now and the end of the season and the way Bamford plays, he’s not an explosive player, he’s not one who relies on his pace and power.
“On the injury side that might do him a favour because you might get more of the sprinters getting injured.”
