With Jermain Defoe promoted to the senior team for Wednesday's friendly against the Ukraine, Cole was England's leading man for the Under 21s at Middlesbrough.

He didn't disappoint, scoring two goals in the first half to earn a comfortable victory for England's Young Lions in Peter Taylor's first match back in charge.

Cole looked strides ahead of his opponents as he thumped home an opening goal and then twisted at the far post to add a second just before half-time.

Only hours before kick-off he had revealed to TheFA.com his burning desire to hit the net after going six games for England Under-21s without a goal.

But the Chelsea striker, currently on loan at Aston Villa, will now be setting his sights on promotion to Sven-Goran Eriksson's senior side in the near future.

With Michael Owen, Alan Smith, Darius Vassell and Emile Heskey - all former Under-21 stars incidentally - currently blocking his way and Wayne Rooney hoping to return from injury it won't be easy. But Cole is clearly a natural goalscorer with immense talent and he is proof that the talent pool in England is very deep indeed,.

Ipswich's Darren Bent also has high hopes for the future, and he grabbed his third goal for the Under-21s in the last minute at Middlesbrough to round off a highly satisfactory performance.

But there is little doubt that Cole will earn the headlines alongside Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant, who was named man of the match for his all round contribution over 90 minutes.

Cole's first goal highlighted his qualities. He stayed awake when Pennant's cross reached a defender, and reacted instantly when the ball ran loose to thump it home right-footed without a second thought.

The second showed his athleticism, too. Because he fell to floor trying to convert Stewart Downing's left-wing cross but got up quickly to twist and force the ball home with his left foot from close range.

Having also scored for Aston Villa against Southampton on Saturday, Cole is certainly a striker in top form. He will need to stay right on his mettle if he wants to challenge the likes of Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney - but after tonight's performance the challenge for him is there.

As coach Peter Taylor said afterwards: "It's up to him to keep that consistency and to keep scoring goals. Then who knows what he could achieve."