The Aston Villa forward has been utilised as a substitute for the Three Lions in recent games and he puts additional pressure on himself to perform at international level because his minutes are often limited.

Watkins said: "People know what I can do. Whenever I come on I always try to grab that chance with both hands and make a difference, that’s what substitutes are there to do.

"We have so many world-class players. It’s a shame any game you don’t start.

"Everyone wants to start, but it’s the manager’s decision. It’s one you have to accept."

Watkins was surprisingly left out by interim boss Lee Carsley as he opted to play without a recognised striker in last week's match against Greece in the absence of captain Harry Kane but understood the coach's decision to field an experimental team even though it backfired as England were beaten 2-1 in the Nations League at Wembley.

The player said: "He explained to me that he was trying something different. I was all for it, we’ve got so many good players.

"He wanted to try something different but explained that he didn’t have too much time.

"Obviously it can work but I feel like they are training together every day, you need maybe a little bit more time.

"We have definitely got the players to do it."

Watkins has made useful contributions for England and Villa with assists but always prefers to be sticking the ball in the back of the net.

He said: "Scoring is the best feeling, as much as I like making them I definitely prefer to be on the end and scoring myself.

"That is second best so if I am not scoring it is the second best thing and happy days."