Tottenham star Harry Kane can break Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goals record, says Jermain Defoe

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Jermain Defoe has backed Tottenham striker Harry Kane to become the all-time leading goal scorer in the Premier League, surpassing the mark still held by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.

Kane, 24, has already hit 84 goals in 123 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, but will have to keep up his current scoring rate well into his 30s if he is to eclipse Shearer's record of 260 goals for Blackburn and Newcastle.

Despite still being so far away, the Bournemouth star believes Kane will already have his eyes on the overall Premier League goals record but, using Wayne Rooney's career as an example, admits it is a long road ahead.

Harry Kane has scored 84 goals in the Premier League at an average of 0.68 goals per game

Alan Shearer remains the highest scoring player in the Premier League with 260 goals

'Shearer was special and with all the great forwards in the Premier League is still at the top,' said Defoe, speaking to journalist Alex Crook.

'Wayne Rooney was getting close to him but it is not easy. For 260 goals you have to be doing it year in, year out, for a number of years. I just feel like Harry has to be thinking about beating him because I would.

'There is a lot of pressure but I just feel Harry must be thinking that's the dream. The dream is to be the highest goal-scorer for England and the highest goal-scorer in the Premier League.

'If he continues scoring goals like he is scoring goals, the sky is the limit.

'If you speak to him he must feel, especially in that team, where it's like his team now, the way they play with the chances and that manager, he must be looking at the record.'

Kane has won two golden boots and is in prime position to win a third this season

With 159 goals, Jermain Defoe is the highest scoring active striker in the Premier League

Rooney had looked to be a worthy challenger for Shearer's coveted title when he burst onto the scene with Everton and Manchester United, but his record in front of goal has slowed considerably in the latter part of his career, leaving him 60 strikes away.

Shearer's 260 goals came in 441 appearances at an average of 0.58 goals per game. In comparison, Kane has averaged 0.68 goals per game for Tottenham so far, meaning he would stand to break Shearer's mark within 384 games.

That brings up the possibility of Kane breaking the record within another seven seasons in English football, assuming he avoids injury, continues scoring at his current rate and does not leave for another division.