Tottenham defender Steven Caulker looks set to make his England debut tonight in Sweden and he will do so with the backing of his former captain.

Spurs favourite Ledley King has spoken ahead of England’s friendly in Stockholm tonight and had only words of encouragement for the 20-year-old centre-half.

“Having been there myself, it’s a big confidence-booster when you first go into the England squad,” King told the Spurs official site.

“You come back to your club with your head held high, so confident; really believing you are a player. I remember it was a brilliant feeling for me and it will be beneficial as well for Tottenham he goes on to win that first cap.”

Caulker is expected to be handed his England debut tonight by Roy Hodgson as part of an experimental England line-up which is set to include the likes of Leon Osman and Raheem Sterling for the first time.

If Caulker does win his first cap this evening, it will be the crowning achievement of a tremendous 18 months which has seen him first establish himself as a regular on-loan at Swansea City, before pushing himself into Andre Villas-Boas’ Spurs side in recent weeks.

King, 32, who himself won 21 full England caps during an eight-year international career which saw him participate in two tournaments, praised Caulker’s composure.

“Steven’s been fantastic, he’s slipped into the team seamlessly and is so composed for one so young,” enthused King.

“Quite rightly, his form has been recognised and it’s brilliant for him that he’s been called into the England squad.”