Kane to captain England in Paris

HARRY Kane will keep the captain’s armband for England’s season-ending friendly in France, where Tom Heaton and Jack Butland will play instead of under-scrutiny Joe Hart.

Fresh from Saturday’s frantic World Cup qualifying draw against Scotland, the Three Lions have returned to the country that last year witnessed one of their lowest moments.

Bowing out of Euro 2016 to Iceland still sticks in the craw and has seen manager Gareth Southgate attempt to bring leadership to a group that was lacking just that in Nice.

Kane became the fifth different captain in seven matches in the 2-2 draw at Hampden Park and will lead again tonight.

“I am not committing to a timescale on that,” Southgate said, after being asked when a permanent captain would be named.

“I think it has been a good experience to develop other leaders. We’re seeing that not only in terms of responsibility but the way the group are prepared to contribute when we’re discussing games, when we’re reviewing games.

“There’s lots of potential leaders in different ways. But I am not in a rush to make that decision.

“I think at some point it is probably something we should do, in fact, I am certain it is something we should do, but I think it has been good to devolve the leadership.”

Handing the captaincy to a 23-year-old highlights how important Southgate believes it is to spread the burden, but giving Kane the armband for tonight’s game does not necessarily mean he is front runner for the permanent role.

Southgate was also keen to underline that Hart’s absence from the starting line-up was not a knee-jerk reaction to his display in Glasgow.

“I said on Saturday it was never my intention to play Joe in this game,” he said. “Tom Heaton will start the game and Jack Butland will play the second half.”