Kieran Trippier has backed England captain Harry Kane to break his tournament duck at the World Cup and will be doing his best to provide the ammunition.
Kane has been the Premier League’s most reliable goalscorer over the past four seasons, topping 20 goals in each campaign, and has struck 13 times in 24 caps for his country.
Yet he has twice failed to hit the target during a summer competition – drawing a blank for the under-21s at the 2015 European Championship and then again for the senior side at Euro 2016.
Gareth Southgate’s side need that drought to end in Russia and right-back Trippier, who provided six assists for Tottenham team-mate Kane last season, is confident the time is coming.
“If it’s in the right area, Harry will be on the end of it and finish the goals,” he said.
“At club level on the training field we practise deliveries, crosses and as long as you put it in the right areas, you know he’ll put them away.
“It’s about timing, the delivery of the crosses, but Harry’s in good form. Harry is more than confident he will do well in this tournament.”
Trippier also gave a firm vote of confidence for Kane’s leadership qualities, after he pipped Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson to the armband.
“There’s no better person to lead us at the World Cup,” he said.
“He’s a great leader, on and off the field, a top professional. Even off the field, just speaking to him one to one. He’s a great person – if you ever need help he’s there for you.”