DON’T KANE IT!
Goal-hungry Harry keen to play every game but Gareth won’t risk skipper
GARETH Southgate will prioritise Harry Kane’s welfare over his captain’s quest to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer, with the striker ready to play in all three World Cup qualifiers this fortnight.
Southgate will finalise his team for tomorrow’s opening qualifier against San Marino over the next 24 hours, with Kane’s potential selection one of his biggest calls.
The Tottenham forward is keen to feature against the minnows, as well as in Sunday’s game in Albania and next week’s clash with Poland, as he looks to give his team the best possible start to World Cup qualifying and bolster his goal tally.
However, Southgate is well aware of the risks if his skipper is overplayed and will manage Kane’s involvement to prevent placing the 27- year- old’s body under unnecessary strain, whether that means not starting him or taking him off.
Kane has scored 32 goals for England and is well on the way to breaking Wayne Rooney’s record of 53.
The matches against San Marino and Albania, in particular, are good opportunities for him to add to his tally. Kane, who didn’t score for England in 2020, takes huge pride in playing for the national team and is known for wanting to play in every game for club and country.
But the striker has suffered with minor ankle and knee complaints over the past fortnight — information that has been passed on by Spurs medics to their England counterparts.
And Southgate is preparing to nurse Kane through the next week to avoid any further damage.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho will be keeping a watchful eye on how Southgate uses Kane in the coming days.
The Portuguese said last week: ‘I believe that he (Southgate) has a good relationship with Harry. Good relations normally means good communication and I hope that happens between them without me being in the middle saying something.
‘I hope that, between them, they can find some compromise to protect the player.’
Meanwhile, England players held a team meeting last night to decide whether to take the knee at Wembley tomorrow.
The FA have been cleared to make the anti-racism gesture before kickoff by FIFA and UEFA, despite the risk of breaching rules with regards to making political statements.
‘Taking the knee is a very powerful message and it reminds people why we are doing this,’ said England newcomer Ollie Watkins yesterday.
On Monday night, Southgate made an emotional address to his squad urging them to embrace the opportunity to make England history as their World Cup campaign starts in earnest.
The Three Lions manager acknowledged the difficulties the players have faced during what has been an exhausting season, but urged his squad not to let their standards
slip.