Gareth Southgate will name his final squad for Euro 2024 on Saturday, with one of the major talking points being the identity of Harry Kane's back-up at the tournament

England boss Gareth Southgate has been urged to name both Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins in his final squad for Euro 2024.

Southgate will cut his squad down from a provisional 33 to 26 on Saturday ahead of the tournament in Germany. The Three Lions start their campaign with a clash against Serbia on June 16.

One of the major talking points has been which striker he would pick to act as Harry Kane's back-up this summer. But former England star Jermain Defoe has urged Southgate to bring both Brentford star Toney and Aston Villa's Watkins to the Euros.

Watkins starred in Villa's run to claiming a top four place, while Toney quickly got back up to speed after returning from a betting ban. And Defoe believes their different abilities are something England will need.

"So I like both forwards, it's so difficult to pick one because they've got different attributes. They both deserve to go."

Elsewhere, Defoe believes Southgate should pick a mixture of youth and experience. He said: "Mainoo from Man United, made his debut recently and played in the game like he was in and around the senior squad for years.

"Cole Palmer, the amount of goals he's scored recently and Gordon from Newcastle, he's dynamic. Obviously there's Saka and Bellingham, what he's doing in Spain at Madrid. Declan Rice and then Foden, the amount of goals and assists he's getting.

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Defoe was speaking exclusively to Mirror Football through charity platform TheWnnr.com Defoe during his playing career with England ( Image:

STUART ROBINSON) "So the attacking players, their numbers this season has been amazing. Keep those players fit and they'll take that into the tournament. In the forward areas, we just have so many goals in the team now."

Defoe believes that the Three Lions have a secret weapon up their sleeves in the form of Southgate's backroom staff. The former Spurs star earned his final England call-up at the start of Southgate's reign and has now praised his assistant coaches.

"The players love playing for him, away from football, he's such an amazing guy, he's approachable, you can speak to him about anything. At that stage of my career it was good for me," Defoe added.

"He gets a lot back from the players. Steve Holland's obviously a great coach. I think they've got a good mix. He's done well with the staff.

"So I think he's got a good mix of staff and that's why England are now in a position where we could go on and win a major tournament. I think the squad's a lot stronger now. We've got a good chance.

"When you look at the options that we've got now, especially in the forward areas, we're spoilt for choice really. It's so exciting. It's important we get off to a good start in the tournament. I think we will do. A lot of the players have international tournament experience now, which is important. So we have to be one of the favourites."

Defoe was speaking exclusively to Mirror Football through charity platform TheWnnr.com, presenting a signed Harry Kane shirt and a 24carat gold football signed by the England squad to a lucky winner. Head over to TheWnnr.com to check out the latest prizes up for grabs.