Harry Kane makes Will Lankshear admission as England handed clear striker succession plan

Kane backs Lankshear for England call-up, saying the 21-year-old has shown great goal-scoring instinct at Middlesbrough but should develop without pressure.

Harry Kane has praised Will Lankshear's form at Middlesbrough, saying the 21-year-old striker has the goal-scoring instinct needed at the highest level. Lankshear has scored 15 goals in 16 games across all competitions since joining the Championship side from Tottenham over the summer, prompting calls for an England senior debut.

Kane, speaking at Tottenham's training ground, said he had heard excellent things about Lankshear from coaches who worked with him at the club's academy. "He's a goal scorer. He knows how to score. He's in the right place at the right time," Kane said. "Whether he comes into the senior side is down to Thomas [Tuchel]. If he did, I'm sure he'd learn loads here, surrounded by the attackers that we have."

Lankshear was in contention for England's recent Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain but did not make the squad, later withdrawing from U21 selection due to a muscular injury. Kane stressed the importance of letting the 21-year-old develop without external pressure, noting that succession planning for his own position will eventually become a focus for manager Tuchel.