Stuart Pearce believes Harry Kane should go to the European under-21 Championship in the summer despite fears the Tottenham star will suffer from burnout.
Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino has said he will seek talks with the Football Association about Kane's potential participation in the tournament in the Czech Republic.
Pochettino fears the 21-year-old will be extremely tired by June and hinted on Tuesday that he would prefer it if the player was given a month off this summer instead.
Kane will play his 40th game for Spurs if selected against Swansea on Wednesday and is almost certain to be named in the England senior squad for the games against Lithuania and Italy when it is announced on March 19.
Pearce, who was unable to select a raft of eligible stars from the senior squad for the last Under-21 Championship, thinks Kane should drop back down to the under-21s in the summer and would benefit if he went to the Czech Republic.
"England have to take their best players, all of the best players -- not just one or two. For me, you send the biggest squad out there," the former England under-21 coach told TalkSPORT.
"They are playing against the best in Europe at under-21 level, the seniors are in a fantastic position for qualification. Roy [Hodgson] has done a good job in putting them at the top of their qualifying group, so you are not going to lose a great deal in regard to one or two of our brightest young players going to the under-21s. The only thing you will do is gain."
Jack Rodwell, Kyle Walker, Phil Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck all went with the senior squad to play a friendly in Brazil two years ago rather than attend the under-21 tournament in Israel, where England lost all three group matches. Pearce left his post soon afterwards.
Hodgson says Pearce's successor, Gareth Southgate, is free to choose whoever he wants for the tournament.
The FA wants Kane to go to the tournament and Pearce believes the striker has the ability to cope with the demands of tournament football.
"He is a very level-headed young man," the ex-Nottingham Forest manager said.
"I spoke to him when I was involved in the England set-up. I have not managed him, but I have watched his development from afar when he was on loan at places like Millwall.
"I think it's very refreshing for English football that we have a young man who seems very level-headed and wants to come and play for his country."