WALES manager Chris Coleman has hailed Sam Vokes as ‘immense’ after the Burnley striker played a pivotal role in his side beating Russia 3-0 to win their Euro 2016 group.

The Clarets ace started as a lone front man in ahead of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey as the Dragons looked to top Group B ahead of England and secure an easier tie in the first knockout round.

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Despite Vokes not finding the back of the net, seeing a first-half shot saved by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, his presence as a target freed up the more famous pair to run riot against Russia.

Coleman said: “Playing as a lone striker is not easy, especially up against two centre-backs, but we felt we could have a platform off him. It’s horses for courses sometimes and I thought he was immense.

“We went differently against Russia because we felt it was made for Sam.”

Last week, Burnley and Wales legend Leighton James told the Lancashire Telegraph that he saw Vokes as key to Wales chances in the tournament.

The former Turf Moor winger said: “The game stops with him in terms of he gets hold of it and players like Bale and Ramsey can play off Sam Vokes.

“If you play a runner up there like Hal Robson-Kanu, I don’t feel that the ball will stick.

“And you need that to happen, to give Gareth and Aaron - the top players and the more creative players - the chance to make runs and make forward movements.

“So I think Sam could be very pivotal in any success that Wales have.”

Bale put Monday night’s victory in Toulouse on a par with winning the Champions League, after the Real Madrid star sealed victory with his third goal in as many games.

Asked if claiming top spot gave Wales a better chance of progressing deep into the tournament, he said: “It definitely does. There are no easy games, but this might give us a slightly easier game.

“Finishing top is better than second or third. It is good for us and we want to concentrate on ourselves and getting it right for the next game.”

Bale has won the Champions League twice in three seasons since his £85.3million world record transfer to the Bernabeu from Tottenham.

But he felt that the intoxicating night in Toulouse, in which thousands of Wales fans heavily outnumbered their Russian counterparts, was as memorable as anything he had experienced.

“It was an unbelievable occasion, right up there,” said Bale.

“Given the pressure of the game, that was one of the best team performances I have ever been a part of.”