Chris Smalling says he is lucky to play with Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane

Chris Smalling says struggling strikers Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane "have gotten close enough to the full package."

Smalling plays with Lukaku for Manchester United and Kane for England and says the duo are among a select group of elite strikers.

"There are not many players that you can compare with any of them," Smalling.

"I think I'm lucky that I have Rom in United and when we go out with England, if I can do my job and stop the goals, it's inevitable that we'll score at least one or two."

Lukaku and Kane are enjoying excellent seasons so far and Kane does not think either player has many deficiencies.

"I've faced both of them, either for the Spurs and (former Lukaku club) Everton, and obviously now Rom in training," said Smalling.

"They are two handfuls.

"I think it's two strikers who have gotten close enough to the complete package, which makes them so successful."

Saturday's 4-0 victory at Crystal Palace was Smalling's first Premier League exit of the season but has regularly participated in other competitions and is enjoying the fight for the places.

"We're lucky we have four middle halves and, more often than not, we play one game a week," he said.

"I've been lucky the last couple of weeks to play all the games, but it's something that you have to accept.

"It's not easy, I'd rather play every game, but if you do a presentation every week, it makes it hard for you to change.

"I think I'm lucky to be in a top-notch club and play for a top-tier nation that has many opportunities to select good midfielders.

"Whether it's United or England, there's always that competition, and that's what we need to keep improving."