Robbie Keane leant his support yesterday to Harry Redknapp’s assertion that Aaron Lennon deserves to be recalled to the England squad, but it will take more than the acclamation of a couple of Tottenham Hotspur cheerleaders to convince Fabio Capello.

The manager of the national team is not ready to hand the winger a call-up for the matches against Slovakia and Ukraine, although he has been monitoring Lennon, who made his last appearance for England in the 3-0 win away to Andorra in a European Championship qualifier in March 2007, for some time and was impressed by his contribution to Spurs’ 4-0 win over Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, when he scored twice.

Lennon’s misfortune has been to run into what he describes as his best form since joining Tottenham in 2005 at the wrong time. The 21-year-old has rediscovered the cutting edge that catapulted him to national attention as a teenager at Leeds United, scoring four goals in his past six matches, but competition for right wingers within the England set-up is unusually fierce.

Shaun Wright-Phillips has been revitalised by his return to Manchester City, Theo Walcott, of Arsenal, is close to returning from a shoulder injury and will be fit to face Slovakia at Wembley on March 28, while there will also be room in the squad for David Beckham, given his consistent performances for AC Milan.

Lennon has played on the left on several occasions this season, but Capello is believed to have doubts about his versatility. The Italian will continue to follow Lennon in the hope of witnessing further improvement, but Keane is convinced that his team-mate is already good enough for a return to international football. The Ireland striker suggested that Lennon should call Patrice Evra as a character witness, arguing that he gave the France defender a torrid time during last Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Manchester United.

“I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t get back in the England squad,” Keane said. “Because can beat people with his pace. He was terrific against Man United on Sunday, he was fantastic and I don’t think Evra has ever had a test like that. For the whole game he was in form, and against Middlesbrough he took his two goals superbly. He’s a big player for us and is getting better with age. Since I got back to the club I see a more mature player.”

Lennon attributes his improvement to being given a run of games by Redknapp after being sidelined under Juande Ramos, the Tottenham manager’s predecessor, but is prepared to be patient when it comes to an England recall. “I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and I’m playing the best I’ve ever played,” he said. “It’s down to playing in loads of games. I’ve missed England and if I could get back in then brilliant, but it’s about keeping Spurs in the Premier League right now.”