Kane is out of friendlies
Southgate’s England plans disrupted as Spurs star pulls out
ENGLAND have been dealt a double injury blow with Harry Kane and Harry Winks ruled out of the friendlies against Germany and Brazil. Tottenham striker Kane picked up a knee injury in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, and Winks suffered an ankle ligament injury in the same game. England manager Gareth Southgate has drafted in West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore. England play Germany on Friday, then Brazil next Tuesday.
HARRY KANE is out of the England squad to face Germany and Brazil — leaving Gareth Southgate’s plans in disarray.
The Tottenham striker’s club team- mate Harry Winks, who excelled on his international debut against Lithuania last month, is also out due to an ankle ligament injury.
But it is the withdrawal of Kane that will come as the biggest blow to Southgate as he prepares for the two prestige friendlies.
Kane, who is favourite to become permanent England captain, has scored seven goals in his last six internationals and is one of only a handful of players guaranteed to start in Russia next summer.
But after injuring a knee in Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace, the decision has been taken for Kane to miss England’s next two fixtures.
Kane, who has only just returned from a hamstring injury, was assessed by Tottenham medics yesterday morning before his withdrawal was confirmed. The injury is not understood to be serious.
Tottenham’s first Premier League game after the internationals is the north London derby against Arsenal on Saturday, november 18.
Speaking before his withdrawal, Kane admitted he is wary of burn-out, saying: ‘The hamstrings are fine but we’ve got keep an eye on it.
‘It’s something that’s happened and we don’t want it to happen again. It’s about maintaining it. It’s a long old season. If I’m fit and called upon I’m happy to play. It’s always an honour to play for my country. I’d never turn that down. So we’ll see what happens.
‘It’s always a case of managing your fitness. We play so many games and we’ve had so many high-intensity games — Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool — it takes it out of you.
‘I’m in the same boat as everyone else. We play a lot of games and you have to deal with it. Away from football, the recovery is jjust as important and that’s what I’ll try to do.
‘The Spurs manager does his best to keep everyone in the best shape possible andd I’m sure Gareth will do the same.’ Winks, who would have started one of the games, will be disappointed at his forced withdrawal. Jake Liver-r more of West Brom-wich Albion has been called up.
Dele Alli had already pulled out of the squad because of a hamstring injury.
There are also doubts over the fitness of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
The pair were assessed by their clubs yesterday morning and could yet be forced to drop out of Southgate’s squad.
If Kane, Henderson and Cahill all withdraw, it is likely Joe Hart will captain the team against Germany on Friday. England then play Brazil next Tuesday.
And one Tottenham player who could feature is full back Danny Rose, who revealed that dinner dates with Southgate have helped in his recovery from a serious knee injury. Rose is back in the England squad and spent time at St George’s Park during his rehabilitation.
Rose said: ‘ I’ve spoken to Gareth a lot. I did rehab at the England training centre. I was around him for three weeks and we had dinner together most days and spoke pretty much every day.’