Harry Kane: Tottenham striker should play in Euro U21s - Pearce

Harry Kane is also eligible for the Republic of Ireland but wants to play for England

Harry Kane should play at the European Under-21 Championship this summer, says former England U21 boss Stuart Pearce.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says his striker would benefit from a "month's holiday after the season to rest and recover his body and mind".

But Pearce told Sportsweek: "The message coming out of his [Kane's] mouth at the moment is suggesting that he wants to go to the U21 tournament."

Kane, 21, scored both goals in Spurs 2-1 victory over QPR on Saturday.

He now has 26 goals from 40 appearances in all competitions this season and Pearce described him as "the standout English striker" who "thoroughly deserves" to be called up to the England senior squad.

However, Pearce reiterated his long-held stance that for the senior side to be successful, the best talent should gain tournament experience at U21 level.

"Personally, and I've championed this all along, I think the key to the senior squad being successful is to make sure we win trophies at the younger age group.

"The only way you do that is you take your strongest possible squad to the under-21 and the under-19 tournaments.

England manager Roy Hodgson has said Harry Kane is ready for the England senior squad

"If you want to put a good argument against it - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - they don't rest these players. They play every game.

"I never ever hear either of the players suggesting that they want to miss an Olympics or a World Cup, or even playing in the younger age groups when they were coming through at the same age as Harry Kane."

Spurs manager Pochettino has said he plans to talk to the Football Association about Kane.

"We need to arrive at a deal with the player and the FA," he said.

"This is my opinion but I realise we need to support the national team and to take the best decision for us all. This is our concern - he is our player."

England manager Roy Hodgson, who watched Kane at Loftus Road on Saturday, has said he is keen for his young players with senior international experience to play in the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic this summer.

Kane has yet to win a full England call-up, but is expected to be named in Hodgson's squad to face Lithuania and Italy later this month.