BURNLEY legend Leighton James has backed striker Sam Vokes to take his Championship-winning club form into the international arena with Wales at Euro 2016.

The Dragons kick off their Group B campaign tomorrow against Slovakia in Marseille, the first time they have been at a major finals since 1958.

Vokes looks set to miss out to former Reading forward Hal Robson-Kanu, who has recovered from ankle and leg injuries to declare himself fit for the match at the Matmut Atlantique

But James, who enjoyed three spells at Turf Moor as well as winning 54 caps for his country, says it should be the Clarets centre-forward who leads the line in front of star player Gareth Bale and Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey.

The 63-year-old said: “I think Sam’s chances of playing are good because (Hal) Robson-Kanu has been injured quite a lot recently and personally I don’t see Gareth Bale as your main front man.

“Sam is a natural frontman and he’s probably the only one in the squad who’s playing in that role week in, week out.

“He’s done well. He had a bad injury and he’s come back really well and played a prominent part in

Burnley’s promotion.

“So in terms of psychologically, he’s on a high because he’s done well to get back to his club form and Wales has been a boost, a bit of a bonus for him.

“So right at this moment in time, Sam is as confident in his own ability as anybody else in the squad because he’s overcome so many difficulties.

“The game stops of him, in terms of the ball gets knocked up to him and he gets hold of it. Then players like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey can play off Sam Vokes. That’s how I see it clicking.”

Robson-Kanu has been a major injury concern for Dragons boss Chris Coleman after rupturing a tendon at a training camp in Portugal two weeks ago.

He missed the warm-up match against Sweden in Copenhagen last Sunday, a game which saw Vokes play 73 minutes.

But last night he declared himself fit to start against Slovakia in Wales’ first Group B clash in Bordeaux tomorrow, leaving the Burnley man likely to have to settle for a place on the bench at the .

Robson-Kanu said: “I was always confident I would be fine, even though a few people around me were panicking.

“It was a ruptured plantaris and apparently it’s quite impressive to come back from that so soon.

“But I’ve not had to have pain-killing injections, I’ve just got on with the hard work.

“I’m a fit player and the manager knows that.

“It’s important we have as many of our squad available, and I’ll be keen to start after my contribution in the qualifiers.”

Vokes enjoyed a terrific season with the Clarets, scoring 15 league goals as they lifted the Championship trophy and secured a place in the Premier League for the third time in seven years.

That included 12 in the final 21 games of the season and the crucial strike that wrapped up promotion against Queens Park Rangers at Turf Moor.

After experiencing the glory of domestic success, he said of his international duty in France: “It would be great (to start).

“I’ve always said if you’re doing well with your club then hopefully you’ll get a chance for your country.

“It’s been a big thing for me. I was gutted to miss most of the campaign through injury last time round so it would be nice to get a good run-out this summer.”