ROBERT PAGE has backed £50million-rated Brennan Johnson to cope with a move to Spurs.
But the Wales boss has warned Tottenham fans that the Nottingham Forest forward, 22, will not replace Harry Kane.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs lead the chase for Johnson ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline day.
The Londoners are bidding to fill the daunting striker void left by record goalscorer Kane, who joined Bayern Munich for £104million.
Page said: “He’s more than capable of handling it. You can’t go into a club expecting to fill somebody’s else’s boots.
“He’s a very different type of player to Harry. I wouldn’t even think of the Harry Kane situation and going in to fill that. He’s his own man.
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“He’s just got to go, he’s his own person and player. It would be a great move for him. If he goes there, he goes on his own ability and what he can offer to the team.
“I liken it to what Dan James went through at Manchester United.
“He had one great season at Swansea, but Brennan has had more than one great season in the Championship. He has scored in the Premier League and his record is there to be seen.
“Young players today – and Brennan falls into this category – are a confident breed and he’s more than capable of playing at that level.”
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Page knows Johnson’s dad David well and reckons the Wales attacker will keep his feet on the ground despite all the transfer attention.
Page, who watched Johnson cause Manchester United problems in the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford last Saturday, added: “Brennan has a good support network around him.
“I know his dad, who used to play so he’s been through all this himself. You need that network as a young lad.
“I don’t believe he will get carried away with it. He will stay grounded and won’t change.
We certainly won’t allow that in the changing room in the Wales set-up.”
Johnson was named yesterday in Page’s 25-man squad for the September 7 friendly at home to South Korea before the Euro 2024 must-win qualifier in Latvia four days later,
Leeds winger Daniel James is out with an adductor injury.
While Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell – who are available for the Cardiff friendly with South Korea – are banned for the trip to Riga after receiving red cards against Armenia and Turkey in June.
Tom Lockyer is recalled for the first time since collapsing in Luton’s Championship play-off final triumph over Coventry at Wembley in May.
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The Hatters captain underwent an operation to address an irregular heartbeat but the centre-back has since returned to action to lead Rob Edwards’ men in the top-flight.
Wales squad:
Goalkeepers: Hennessey, Ward, A Davies, King,
Defenders: Roberts, Williams, Rodon, Mepham, Lockyer, Cabango, B Davies, Fox
Midfielders: Ramsey, Ampadu, Wilson, Morrell, J James, Burns, Sheehan
Strikers: Moore, Johnson, Brooks, Broadhead, Bradshaw, Cullen.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
