England centre-back Gary Cahill has lauded new international teammate Harry Kane ahead of the upcoming double-header against Lithuania and Italy.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals, but didn't net his first league goal until November 2, scoring 19 in 21 games since then.

Chelsea centre-back Cahill described the 21-year-old, who is in the senior national squad for the first time, as a "real handful" in a press conference at St George's Park this afternoon.

"I've played three times against him this season," Cahill told reporters. "He's a real handful, a fantastic talent. He's not just somebody who holds the ball up, he can run in behind.

"He's got two good feet. For me, he's got all the attributes and to score a hat-trick (against Leicester City) leading up to the first meet-up is ideal. His confidence must be sky-high and he is a top player. He feels he's ready to play."

When asked if Kane should start in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania on Friday, Cahill said: "That's down to the manager. We've got four top strikers here all chomping at the bit to play, all good enough to play and Harry's in that bracket."

Kane has 29 goals in all competitions and is level with Cahill's Chelsea teammate Diego Costa in the Premier League scoring charts.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre