BBC pundit Alan Shearer believes it is time for Tottenham goalscoring sensation Harry Kane to shine on the international stage.
Kane has drawn the plaudits for his remarkable goalscoring form at domestic level in recent seasons, but he has yet to replicate his stunning form for England.
The 23-year-old striker netted 35 goals from just 38 appearances in all competitions last season, storming to the Premier Golden Boot award with seven goals from his final two matches.
It was also the third successive season where Kane has scored more than 20 league goals in a single campaign, but he has managed just five goals from 17 appearances at international level.
He has also yet to feature under new England boss Gareth Southgate, having been struck down by injury during Southgate’s previous six fixtures in charge of the national side.
However, Shearer believes Kane must now seize his chance in the limelight, and prove that he deserves to be recognised as England’s first-choice goalscorer for the long-term.
In his column for the Sun, he wrote: “This is Harry Kane’s time to shine. Kane has the opportunity to show he should be England’s top centre-forward for years to come.
“He deserves his chance to lead the line for England due to the sheer volume of Premier League goals he has scored in the last three years.
“I would love it if he can carry on his Spurs form in an England shirt against Scotland on Saturday.”
Kane is likely to lead the line for England in their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Saturday, with his last international goal dating back to the win over Turkey in May 2016.
Southgate has just two alternative outright goalscoring options in Marcus Rashford and Jermain Defoe at his disposal, should he opt against fielding the Tottenham star.
Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy had originally been named in Southgate’s initial squad, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
England are also due to face France in an international friendly on Tuesday,