NEW BOY IS SOUT TO SHACKLE KANE

BRENDAN RODGERS reckons Leicester stole a march on their rivals by landing Harry Souttar in January – as they bid to stop bogeyman Harry Kane.

Towering 6ft 6in centre-back Souttar had a growing list of admirers after starring for Australia at the World Cup.

But it was the Foxes who swooped to sign him from Stoke on deadline day in a £15million move. City host Tottenham today and Rodgers said: “Harry was the guy the recruitment team came up with. They felt this was a player that could help us now, but really improve going forward.

“And if we didn’t take him then someone else would and they would benefit.

“Thankfully we were able to get it done and it’s brilliant the big guy has joined us. We see a really good future here for him.

“I’m sure there were plenty of others looking at him. Maybe they were thinking they’d do it in the summer. But we felt if we could do it now, that would give us a head start going into the summer.”

Not even an own goal in last weekend’s 4-2 win at Aston Villa could take the polish off what was an impressive debut by Souttar (top and above heading clear).

“Harry was unfortunate with the shot that came in,” added Rodgers. “But you then look at the reaction – your first ever Premier League game – and I thought he came through it with flying colours and is only going get better and better. He has a great presence for us. Tactically he’s good, deceptively quick and can pass the ball.”

An even tougher test awaits in the shape of Tottenham’s newlycrowned all-time leading goalscorer Kane (bottom the goal against Manchester City that broke the record).

The England skipper has scored 20 times against the Foxes – 18 of them in the Premier League for Spurs – more than any other top-flight opponent.

Rodgers said: “He has absolutely everything, he’s a world-class player. With players of that level and mentality I think they always look to the next challenge. For him, I’m sure it is 208 goals - Wayne Rooney will be the next target. After that it will be Alan Shearer.

“That’s his make up. He’s ambitious and he wants to achieve.”

Rodgers has a forward of his own in form in Kelechi Iheanacho, who made it three goals in five games when he scored at Villa.

He added: “You saw last week the qualities he can deliver. When he plays at that level he’s very difficult to play against.

“Confidence is everything in football and his performance will have given him a lot that. He has been a fantastic player for me.”