Gareth Southgate: Harry Kane has all the attributes to be a future England captain

He also paid tribute to the “bigger presence” of the Spurs striker in games, and demanded that he keep on improving.

"Harry is a hungry player, you can see that,” said Southgate, “and I think he has that single-minded attitude like Shearer that keeps driving him on.

"You have to keep proving yourself season after season and that’s the challenge for any young player, which Harry still is.

"But I don’t see any diminishing in that hunger from him at all. If anything, he’s talking more bullishly about wanting to be even better.

Gareth Southgate has been mightily impressed with Harry Kane

Gareth Southgate compared Harry Kane to Alan Shearer

"He is maturing physically and he is psychologically more confident.

"I see the resemblance with Shearer, and he is one of the leaders in the dressing room.”

Southgate has delayed naming a captain for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland next weekend, and Kane is one name in the frame.

More important for the England boss, though, is the requirement for his young players to develop their talent.

"Even for the top players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi there is always the next challenge,” said Southgate.

"I think it’s important our players are open to that and recognise the need to push themselves. If you don’t have that hunger it’s a problem.

"What has always impressed me about Harry is his mentality to be the best he can possibly be. The great thing is that he wants to know more about his nutrition, his athletic training or whatever it is. He so focused on getting better.”