The former Spurs full-back is proud to see one of Tottenham Hotspur’s players lead his country into this summer’s tournament

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh looks on from the touchline against Wrexham (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh looks on from the touchline against Wrexham (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Justin Edinburgh has backed one-time Leyton Orient loanee Harry Kane to be England’s main man at the 2018 World Cup.

The 48-year-old O’s head coach is, like most in the country, excited about the start of the competition this week and believes Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will have very little to fear in Russia.

While England’s 23-man squad lacks experience, Edinburgh feels the fact so many of the youngsters have played in youth age group tournaments before gives them enough knowhow ahead of the World Cup.

Kane, who played for Orient on loan as a teenager in the second half of the 2010/11 campaign, will captain his country and he’s been backed to deliver.

“England have a young, vibrant group and I think they will go to Russia with very little to fear,” said Edinburgh, when talking to EnergyBet about his tips for the 2018 World Cup.

“A lot of the youngsters have been involved in tournaments coming through the different age groups and for me, being a Spurs supporter as well, I think the main man will be Harry Kane.

“Right now he is the talisman and the one who will get the goals and win games, so I am very much backing Harry to be a hero and to take England as far as he can.”

Kane is not the only player in Russia with previous links to O’s as Tunisia’s Syam Ben Youssef had a short spell at Brisbane Road in 2012 under Russell Slade.

The centre back could go head-to-head with England’s captain on Monday (June 18) in the Group G opener, which starts at 7pm.

Southgate’s men will be the big favourites for that encounter, but may be underdogs when they take on Belgium in the final match of the group on June 28.

Orient boss Edinburgh admits whoever comes out on top in the last fixture may well decide who can make it into the latter stages of the tournament.

He added: “The winners of the England vs Belgium game will probably be the group winners, so a lot of confidence will be taken from the result.

“It will probably give the winner an easier pathway through the knock-out stages and you have to back England.

“As much as Belgium have good players, we also have the best players playing in the best league in the world, so we have to go into the game with confidence and thinking we can beat them and hopefully we give ourselves a clearer pathway going forwards.”