12 February 2015 :Â England manager Roy Hodgson has all but confirmed Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be in his squad for next month’s double-header with Lithuania and Italy.
Hodgson described the 21-year-old, who has scored 23 goals in 35 games this season, as combining “everything you’re looking for in a centre forward”.
“Is he worth a place in the squad now? Of course he is,” said Hodgson.
Captain Wayne Rooney is likely to continue in attack, despite adopting a new midfield role at Manchester United.
In a lengthy interview, the England boss also said:
- Burnley striker Danny Ings, who has scored five times in his last seven matches, had impressed him and is someone they “need to keep an eye on”.
- Liverpool’s 19-year-old winger Jordon Ibe would have to “jump over a lot of young players” before he could be considered for the national team, despite his impressive club form.
- West Brom striker Saido Berahino’s drink driving conviction was not a concern and that the issue “was closed” after the player had been reprimanded by his club.
- Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, 20, was getting “more and more mature” with each performance.
Kane, who only made his first Premier League start for Spurs in April,is currently the joint-leading English goalscorer in the top flight, level with QPR’s Charlie Austin on 13.
“We bought a lot of young players in during my time, we had Saido Berahino in the last squad. [Kane] certainly deserves a place in the squad as much as say Saido did,” added Hodgson.
Source : BBC Sport
