Alan Shearer makes 'absolutely raging' claim as Ollie Watkins is overlooked by England

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was left on the bench, despite the absence of Harry Kane, in England's 2-1 defeat to Greece on Thursday

Former England striker Alan Shearer believes Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is entitled to be 'absolutely raging' after he was left out of the Three Lions' starting XI for the visit of Greece to Wembley on Thursday evening - on a night when England were without captain Harry Kane and subsequently turned over.

Watkins appeared from the bench to replace Anthony Gordon in the second half and sent one opening just over the bar with England at that stage trailing. Although they did level through Jude Bellingham, who was one of five attack-minded players who got the nod in the absence of a recognised centre forward, Greece netted a stoppage time winner courtesy of Vangelis Pavlidis, who had opened the scoring.

With no Kane, who is England's all-time goalscorer and regular leader of the line, Watkins might've been forgiven for being irritated by being overlooked by interim manager Lee Carsley. That's certainly the opinion of Shearer, who added that, if he were Watkins, he'd be demanding to start in Finland on Sunday evening.

READ: Simon Jordan wades in on Watkins debate as Villa striker gets England snub

READ: Manager sends Arsenal and Man City transfer warning as Villa look on

"You'd be absolutely raging if you were Ollie Watkins," Shearer told the Rest Is Football podcast. "Your main man, or your main centre forward, is injured and you've been crying out for an opportunity and when you've come on you've actually done alright, in terms of Watkins, and he's doing well at club level.

"Yet when Kane's out, the manager comes to you and says: 'I'm not going to play you tonight, at home against Greece. I'm going to try something different'. "He's got every right to be [angry]. He should be knocking on his door tonight or tomorrow, saying: 'I have to play the next game, if Kane's not fit'."

Should Watkins start in Finland on Sunday? Tell us HERE

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