Tuesday 13 October 2015 14:54, UK
Andy Cole says England breezing through an 'easy group' will not help their cause at next year's European Championships.
Roy Hodgson's side made it 10 wins from 10 with a 3-0 victory over Lithuania on Monday, the only nation to complete a clean sweep of rivals during the qualifying campaign.
But Cole, who scored one goal in 15 appearances for England, has warned teams like San Marino, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia bear no resemblance to the 'powerhouses' they will face in France next year.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the former Manchester United striker said: "It will be a lot tougher in France.
"England have had an easy group and a lot of the teams they played they should have beaten comfortably, and they have done.
"So when we talk about 10 wins on the bounce it's not as if they have been playing against the powerhouses of Europe.
"However, the most important thing is England qualified and we will see what the summer brings.
"I don't think there is any point in getting too excited at the moment until the draw is made for the Euros. So we'll see how England do in the group stages and go on from there."
And Cole believes Hodgson should have taken the chance to run the rule over players yet to appear on the international stage after qualification for the finals had been secured.
The England manager made a number of changes to his starting line-up in Vilnius although all those who played have previous involvement with the national set-up.
"I'll be honest with you and say it would have been nice if some other players had been used," added Cole, who scored 93 goals in 195 appearances over a six-year period at Old Trafford.
"England qualified early doors and they had a great opportunity to actually look at players who weren't even on the fringes. So I think it's virtually closed to anyone else now as there are only four friendly games until then."
But one player Cole is confident will be part of the squad heading for France next June is United and England captain Wayne Rooney.
Rooney was not involved in the final two qualifying wins over Estonia and Lithuania but Cole has rubbished suggestions England's leading goalscorer is not the force of old.
"Fair enough he has had a disappointing start this season but confidence is a massive thing," he said.
"It doesn't matter who you are, he will come back. He is too good a player not to."
Cole was speaking at the launch of a new multi-year global partnership between Manchester United and international lifestyle brand, New Era.
The partnership will see New Era produce dual-branded leisure headwear aimed at the club's 659 million global followers.
Like Manchester United, New Era's heritage lies within the world of sport. Established in the US in 1930, the company is best known for being the on-field cap for Major League Baseball, an accolade it has held for 81 years.
New Era's flagship product is the 59FIFTY fitted cap, however the Manchester United product range will include different headwear styles, including caps, baseball caps, visors, hats, bobble hats and beanies.
