Former Tottenham star Michael Dawson has questioned Tim Sherwood’s comments about the club wanting to get rid of Harry Kane, insisting the news was a huge surprise.

After Spurs’ sharp-shooting striker was handed his first England call-up by Roy Hodgson, new Aston Villa boss Sherwood claimed he stopped the north London club selling Kane last January during his short time in charge.

He said: “There were people at club who wanted to bring in another striker and sacrifice Harry Kane. I wouldn’t allow that to happen. They know who they are.”

But Dawson has queried his ex-manager’s words, revealing he always thought his former team-mate was highly-rated amongst the staff at White Hart Lane.

He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “I read [Tim Sherwood’s comments] and they were a massive surprise to me. Harry Kane has come through the youth team and knowing John McDermott, and people at the football club, I know how highly they rated him.

“When he used to play for the youth team and the reserves he’d score every game. We’d win 5-0 and we’d be asking how many did Harry get. It was like that.

“He’s always been a goalscorer but, this year, we’ve seen him develop. He’s a lot bigger and stronger. He’s matured as a player and a person.”