Tottenham legend Clive Allen: Harry Kane can beat Alan Shearer's Premier League goal record

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Clive Allen has backed Harry Kane to eclipse Alan Shearer's Premier League goal-scoring record.

Kane, 21, has firmly established himself in first-team plans at White Hart Lane this season and is expected to force himself into Roy Hodgson's England plans, having already struck 17 goals in all competitions.

His outstanding double against Chelsea in the 5-3 victory on New Year's Day further underlined his growing reputation in the Premier League and Allen believes the Chingford-born forward is more than capable of leading the Spurs attack for years to come and surpassing Shearer's long-standing haul of 260 Premier League goals.

"I am sure you look at players from the past who do what you do and who you would like emulate," Allen told BBC Radio 5 live.

"So, I have no doubt Harry has got his eye on it and he is being compared to players like Alan Shearer at the moment. He is the best goalscorer the Premier League has seen and his record is there to be shot at.

"'Why not have a go for it Harry?' - that is what I would say to him."

With Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor having contributed a paltry five goals between them this season, Kane has shouldered the responsibility of the club's leading forward.

Such is Allen's faith in Kane, the 53-year-old believes the youngster is also capable of surpassing his record haul of 49 goals in all competitions from the 1986-87 season.

He said: "I was fortunate to break the great Jimmy Greaves' goalscoring record at Spurs, but people said that it would never be done, so sky is the limit for the young man."

Seven of Kane's goals this season have come in the Premier League, seven were in the Europa League and three were scored in the League Cup.