Harry Kane gets first England call-up after rapid rise at Tottenham
LONDON --
Striker Harry Kane was called up by England for the first time on Thursday after a rapid rise from the fringes of Tottenham's squad to becoming a key component of the team.
The 21-year-old Kane has scored 26 goals in 42 games so far in his breakthrough season at Tottenham, and was voted Premier League player of the month in January and February.
''Huge honor to be called up to the England squad,'' Kane, who has played for England's under-21s team, wrote on Twitter. ''Very proud day for me and my family!''
Kane will be hoping to make his England debut in the European Championship qualifier against Lithuania next Friday or the friendly in Italy four days later.
''The whole country is really (excited), his rise has been fantastic,'' England coach Roy Hodgson said. ''Since he broke into the Tottenham team he has done so well.
''I think it would have been a lot more of a surprise if he hadn't been selected.''
Only Diego Costa of Chelsea and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero have scored more goals than Kane in the league.
Kane will be competing for a starting spot up front in Roy Hodgson's team alongside captain Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, with Saido Berahino losing his place in the squad.
''It's not quite as simple as saying, 'Now I'm here now all you others step aside,''' Hodgson said of Kane.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham).
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).
