Harry keen to Kane the minnows

HARRY KANE has begged Gareth Southgate to play him against San Marino tonight as he is desperate to chase down more goal records. The England captain is now joint fourth with Jimmy Greaves on the Three Lions’ all-time scorers list with 44, just nine behind record holder Wayne Rooney.

Kane has scored 12 goals for his country in 2021 and no player has ever netted more in a calendar year, with George Hilsdon in 1908, Dixie Dean in 1927 and Kane himself in 2019 also previously reaching that figure.

Team boss Southgate revealed that the Tottenham striker has already reminded him that he has not started in either of the Andorra games and was left on the bench for the 5-0 thrashing of San Marino at Wembley in March.

This is a chance for Kane to boost his goal tally against the team ranked 210th by FIFA and officially the worst in world football. Southgate will ring the changes, but Kane is desperate to play with England needing a point to clinch World Cup qualification officially.

Southgate said: “For sure, he is keen to play. He wants to play. We have got to make sure we get this game won and we still have to try to qualify for the World

Cup. He’s been quick to let me know he hasn’t played in those games. There is a balance of players who have been important squad members for us and we have to make sure we repay that.

“But equally, we want to make sure that the team we start with tomorrow is a statement that we’re here to do business, that we’re taking this very seriously, we’re not qualified yet.” Southgate also revealed that he wants to build on the successes of 2021 and has got his eyes on a record of his own, which may just appeal to him as he looks to disprove the theory he is a defensive coach.

He added: “We have got the best defensive record in Europe and are fourth in terms of goals scored and chances created. It is a good challenge to try to improve on it tomorrow.”