TONEY'S THE TIGER FOR THREE LIONS

Tuchel puts his faith in controversial striker

- FROM JOHN CROSS in Kansas City

IVAN TONEY could become one of England's main weapons at this World Cup.

And it will complete an incredible comeback story for one of English football's most controversial figures.

Toney served an eight-month betting ban, ditched the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League and then completely blew his England chances a year ago.

And now, 12 months down the road, Toney is in the squad, is earmarked as one of England's "finishers", has gained a glowing reference from Harry Kane and is one of their penalty specialists.

Thomas Tuchel has it in his mind that if the Three Lions are going to win the World Cup they will have more than likely been in two penalty shoot-outs.

And if Tuchel's men do go the whole way in America this summer, then you can be sure that Toney will have played a big part.

The 30-year-old underlined his potential by scoring a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Miami FC this week.

That was organised against a second-tier local team and was not a full-on game but more of an exercise featuring set-pieces and a mock-up penalty shoot-out at the end.