Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has poured praise on Southampton talisman Danny Ings for his goal-scoring exploits this season – but stopped short of claiming he is a nailed-on pick for Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 England squad.
The Winchester-born England international saw humble footballing beginnings with the likes of Dorchester, Bournemouth and Burnley before an injury-laden period with Liverpool saw him offloaded to the Saints.
An initial loan spell in 2019 was converted into a permanent £20 million move in 2020, with the 28-year-old having excelled in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
He has managed 12 goals and 4 assists in just 28 Premier League outings this season, accounting for a staggering 34% of Southampton’s league goals – despite featuring in just 63% of available minutes.
It is for that reason that Agbonlahor believes Ings’ potential England inclusion is a double-edged sword – alongside Harry Kane, Ings represents a proven scorer yet one equally prone to injury.
Speaking on talkSPORT [via HITC], Agbonlahor claimed:
“I rate him [highly], I remember earlier on in the season against Villa at Villa Park, honestly the goal he scored, he ran he cut in and he put it in the top corner.
“I think he’s sick, but the problem is Harry Kane gets so many injuries now with his ankles and now his hamstrings, so can you take two strikers who are both injury prone,” the ex-Premier League poacher claimed.
Read Southampton Verdict
Ings has certainly shown a consistent streak in his goalscoring form this season, but he will face a race against time if he is to convince Gareth Southgate of his fitness.
His brace against Crystal Palace in the Saints’ recent 3-1 victory was a fine testament to a striker loving life after a recovery, but England boasts plentiful striking options.
Alongside Kane and Ings, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are two examples of recent call-ups that will be jostling for striker slots in the squad.
Saints fans will surely be praying their star can stay away from any injury-related malaise ahead of the summer tournament.
