INGLAND EXPECTS
In-form Saints striker could get chance to stake claim for Euro 2020 spot
GARETH SOUTHGATE is ready to give Danny Ings a Euro 2020 audition.
England boss Southgate is keeping close tabs on in-form Ings amid huge concerns over Harry Kane’s fitness ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
Southgate has been an admirer of Ings, 27, since his days with the England Under21s and has been watching him and getting reports on the Southampton striker.
Ings, who won a senior cap under previous England boss Roy Hodgson, has scored 10 goals in his past 11 games for Southampton and is now in the frame for a call-up for England’s next friendlies against Italy and Denmark in March.
They will continue to watch him but Ings’ form has put him in England’s thinking again as Southgate has come close to calling him up in the past.
Southgate will not turn back to Leicester’s Jamie Vardy as it was the 33-year-old striker’s decision to quit England to concentrate on his club career, a choice that has reaped rich rewards.
Callum Wilson has been a regular in
England squads but is badly out of form at Bournemouth and has not scored in the Premier League since September.
That has opened the door for another striker as Southgate does not see Marcus Rashford as a natural centre-forward and an alternative to Kane.
The Tottenham striker has undergone surgery on a torn hamstring and his club last week issued a statement that initially ruled him out until
April.
But Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has suggested that
Kane may not even be back until next season, which would be a devastating blow for England and the “homecoming” Euros, with their group games atWembley.
But it is understood Kane is confident of being able to start light training by March before stepping it up by April.
Kane believes he will not only make the end of the season but will have played up to five or six games before the curtain comes down.
The England skipper is convinced he will be fully fit and match sharp by the time of the Euros and Southgate has been in regular contact. Southgate has also been looking at Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish and has been at Villa’s last two games. Despite his side’s fight against relegation, Grealish has a big chance of being included for the two friendlies.