"I enjoy getting into the box and scoring goals and I've waited a long time to get a chance in a forward role," he told reporters. "I enjoyed it.

"I'm never going to be as good as Rooney in that position but if he is not fit for the first couple of games, I'm prepared to give it my best shot.

"I think I've proved I can do a job in there."

Playing down the change, he added: "I know what to do when I get the ball. I've been playing football a long time. It doesn't matter where you are on the pitch. The rules are simple, you keep the ball and pass and move."

Peter Crouch, who scored England's third after coming on as a substitute, is another alternative to Rooney alongside Owen.

But coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has now ruled out a third option, which the Swede put forward three weeks ago, of using Cole as the other striker.

By the end of the Hungary game, Eriksson had decided Cole would stay where he is for England's final friendly on Saturday against Jamaica.

"I think Joe Cole at this moment is doing a very, very good job on the left in midfield so I can't see any reason today why I should take him away from there," he said.

"If we want to start with Peter Crouch on the bench I think Steven Gerrard in the role he had is fantastic. So why should I try Joe Cole as well?