Alan Shearer backs Harry Kane to be leading striker for England

Former England striker Alan Shearer has backed Harry Kane to lead the line for Roy Hodgson's side at Euro 2016 this summer.

Kane was included in the Three Lions' provisional 26-man squad for the tournament earlier today having won the Premier League Golden Boot courtesy of his 25 goals for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

The 22-year-old faces competition from the likes of Jamie Vardy and England's all-time record scorer Wayne Rooney, but Shearer believes that Kane deserves the starting role.

"He has earned the right to be given the chance to be England's number one striker. Not only his goals but everything else he has added to his game - one or two were asking the question whether he could do it for a second season. Those who asked that question have that answer and it is an emphatic 'yes'," Shearer told PA.

"That is the way I would start it, a similar system to the one England beat Germany with. I think Harry has earned the right to be England's number one striker and start the tournament as that and then the rest is up to him. He can do most things very well. First and foremost as a forward you need to score goals and he can do that, he can bring people into the game if they need him to, he can run in behind so he is very good at most things.

"I'm a fan of his and that is why he would be my number one striker but then he has to go in and perform. If he doesn't he knows there are other options there, Vardy has had a magnificent season, I don't think Roy will start with two, but if he does why not both of them."

Kane has scored four goals in 10 previous appearances for England.