Lankshear has emerged as one of the Championship's most prolific forwards since joining Middlesbrough from Tottenham in the summer, scoring 15 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions. His performances have prompted calls for a first senior England call-up, with the 21-year-old attracting attention ahead of the national team's Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
England manager Thomas Tuchel ultimately did not select him for the senior squad, while a muscular injury also ruled Lankshear out of the Under-21s' international programme.
Kane, speaking at Tottenham's training ground on Wednesday, praised the youngster's finishing ability and said he had heard positive reports about him from a coach who worked with Lankshear during his time in the Spurs academy.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve followed his whole career. Obviously, this season it’s been hard not to hear about him, and he’s done extremely well at Middlesbrough,” Kane said.
“I’ve spoken to a friend of mine who coached him here (Tottenham) at the younger age group and said that he’s a goal scorer. He knows how to score. He’s in the right place at the right time. He’s a great finisher.
“We talk about a striker sometimes as having that goal-scoring instinct, and I think he’s one of those players for sure. He’s still early in his development. I think what he’s doing right now is perfect for him. Playing loads of games, scoring goals, getting confidence.”
Kane believes Lankshear would benefit from the experience available within the senior England squad if Tuchel decides the time is right to promote him. However, he stressed that selection was entirely the manager's decision.
“Whether he comes into the senior side is down to Thomas. If he did, I’m sure he’d learn loads here, surrounded by the attackers that we have.”
### Kane warns against successor talk
The discussion around Lankshear has also become linked to the question of who might eventually succeed Kane as England's leading centre-forward. At 33, the Bayern Munich striker remains central to the national team's plans, but the search for the next generation of international forwards has inevitably begun.
Kane and Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the only recognised centre-forwards in Tuchel's latest senior squad, adding to the attention surrounding Lankshear's remarkable scoring run.
But Kane was keen to prevent those comparisons from becoming an additional burden for the Middlesbrough player. He said the youngster should concentrate on his current development rather than being expected to take over from England's record goalscorer.
“It’s not a time to put too much pressure on him. I know there’s a lot of talk about who’s going to replace me when I’m not here anymore, but just let him do what he’s doing,” Kane continued.
The England captain has encountered Lankshear on a couple of occasions, first when the striker joined Tottenham's academy and later when the sides met during pre-season. He admitted they had not spent much time together, but would welcome the opportunity to work alongside him in the national team.
“I think it’s great for his development. He’s doing extremely well. I’ve come across him a couple of times, just when he first signed here at Tottenham, and then again when we played him in pre-season.
“I haven’t really spent much time with him. As the time goes on, if he continues, I’m sure he’ll be on the right path to get his chance. If he does make it into the senior team, it’ll be great to work with him and try and help him develop as a player.”
For now, Lankshear's immediate priority is recovering from his muscular injury and continuing the form that has made him one of the Championship's most talked-about young strikers. Kane's message was clear: the goals have earned him attention, but his progress should be allowed to take its natural course.