Kane, Alli and Winks out
ENGLAND have lost the services of Tottenham Hotspur trio Harry Kane (caricature) , Dele Alli and Harry Winks for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, the FA announced yesterday.
Striker Kane (knee) and midfielder Winks (ankle) had treatment during Tottenham’s win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. Alli sustained a hamstring injury in last week’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore and Everton defender Michael Keane have been called into the squad, while Chelsea defender Gary Cahill will have a late fitness test.
“Jake Livermore has been added to the England squad following the withdrawal of Harry Kane and Harry Winks through injury,” the FA said after earlier calling up Keane.
The 24-year-old Keane has a chance to earn his fifth cap after returning from a leg infection in Everton’s exciting comeback win over Watford on Saturday.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson missed Liverpool’s win at West Ham United on Saturday with a thigh injury but is due to join up with the England squad later in the week.
England host Germany on Friday and meet Brazil four days later. Meanwhile, Germany coach Joachim Low says he will use the forthcoming friendlies against England and France to start making some “tough decisions” ahead of next year’s World Cup defence in Russia. The German squad gathered in Berlin yesterday to prepare for the doubleheader with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, plus forwards Thomas Muller and Marco Reus sidelined by injury. Even without the star trio, Germany has an embarassment of riches with new names pushing the established stars who won the 2014 World Cup. The gamble of taking an inexperienced squad of fringe players to Russia for the Confederations Cup in June paid off for Low. Rising stars Timo Werner, Lars Stindl, Niklas Suele and Sebastian Rudy all seized their chance to impress. Now Low has numerous options for the England and France friendlies which are set to spark a fight for places in his 23-man World Cup squad. “We have to make tough decisions,” said Low in Berlin with Germany also to face Spain and Brazil in friendlies next March. – Agencies