‘Worst injury crisis’ forces Southgate to shuffle pack

Harry Kane could miss both of England’s friendlies as manager Gareth Southgate battles with what he believes is his worst injury crisis.

England captain Kane is definitely out of tonight’s match against Brazil with the ankle injury he suffered playing for Bayern Munich, but is also a big doubt for Tuesday night’s visit of Belgium.

Bukayo Saka withdrew from the squad on Thursday with a hamstring injury, while Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer are also carrying injuries that have ruled them out of the Brazil game.

“I think no Kane for tomorrow [v

Brazil],” Southgate said. “Kane is a big doubt for Tuesday. No Henderson for tomorrow, no Cole Palmer for tomorrow. Bukayo arrived with a hamstring problem, so didn’t train so he has gone back. Everybody else is available.

“We have a long list of 40-odd players and a third are unavailable for tomorrow’s game which is the highest we have ever had, no question.”

Kane’s absence will hand an opportunity to either Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney, while Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher may get the chance to partner Declan Rice in

the centre of midfield with Jude Bellingham again used in a No10 role.

Southgate said he would decide tomorrow whether there were any further withdrawals ahead of the Belgium friendly.

Luke Shaw and Reece James are already facing a race to recover from injuries in time for this summer’s European Championship and a number of Premier League clubs have multiple players out.

“Everybody across the league has a high number of injuries, but it is always more complex,” Southgate said. “Everyone wants a simple solution to complex problems. Some players have been unfortunate. Kane’s injury was when he crashed into the net at the weekend and it forced a mechanism with his ankle. He had a winter break and is not playing in our league.

“So players have had runs of injuries, some have played too many games too quickly after injuries so there is a whole range and raft for injuries. But I guess what is clear is the intensity of the games, the additional minutes.”

Southgate’s planning for the Euros has been complicated further by the fact Tottenham Hotspur and