Gareth Southgate has tipped Harry Kane to overtake Wayne Rooney and become England’s leading scorer of all time.
The England captain passed Sir Geoff Hurst in the all-time goalscoring list with his hat-trick against Bulgaria on Saturday to take him to 25 goals for his country.
Rooney tops the list with 53 goals but Southgate believes Kane - who has scored his tally in just 40 games - can reach the total as long as the 26-year-old stays fit.
England boss Southgate said: “What’s he on now? 25 in 40? I think it will just be about fitness and avoiding lengthy injuries - things that are out of your control - but I would think everything else is there to really challenge it.
“The reality of that is there’s a reason that only Bobby (Charlton) and Gary (Lineker) and Wayne (Rooney) have got there.
“It is such a hard challenge to stay fit, No.1 choice, focused, motivated, for the long period that you need to be able to get the games and get those goals.
"If anybody has that strength and mentality, then for sure it is Harry.”
Kane however insists his goalscoring focus has nothing to do with solo achievements, but rather his attempt to lead the Three Lions to silverware next summer.
“It’s only when you guys let me know that I find out about the records,” said Kane
“I don’t want to distract myself from what’s the most important thing which is the team and, obviously, performing on the pitch week in and week out for club or for country.
“With our team, the explosive players we’ve got and the chances we are going to create, I’m always going to get opportunities.
"I’ve got to make sure I’m sharp and in the right place to put them away.”
