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Tim Sherwood said today that Harry Kane made it "impossible" to be overlooked for England and backed him to handle the Three Lions pressure.
The Tottenham striker has been called up by Roy Hodgson for the European Championship qualifier with Lithuania and a friendly against Italy in Turin having scored 26 goals in 42 games for Spurs so far this season.
The Aston Villa boss, who gave Kane his chance when Tottenham manager, said: "I have to congratulate Harry, it was impossible for Roy Hodgson to ignore him. He's done everything. We have to remember he wasn't always 'one of our own' at Tottenham.
"When I first put Harry in the team Roberto Soldado was on the bench and after 30 minutes if Harry hadn't scored they're singing for Soldado to come on. It took him time to win over the fans. They love him now and they are reaping the rewards.
England squad - March 2015
"We don't have to worry about him losing his head, getting too big for his boots, not that type of character. He knows there is a lot of hard work to do.
"He's a little bit different to (Alan) Shearer, there's a little bit of Teddy Sheringham in there. If he can mould them together a little cocktail of Shearer and Sheringham he ain't done bad."
Sherwood did not want to loan Kane out when he was struggling to make a breakthrough last season and believes the 21-year-old has benefited.
He said: "It's great, I resisted the temptation to get rid of him last January because perhaps he wouldn't be the star he is for Tottenham.
"There were people at the club who wanted to bring in another striker and sacrifice Harry Kane. I wouldn't allow that to happen. He got his opportunity and now he's bouncing forward."
