Kane keeps armband but Southgate resists appointing regular captain

● Manager aims to encourage shared responsibility ● Heaton and Butland play in Paris

FRANCE

V ENGLAND

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 at Hampden, England have returned to the country that last year witnessed one of their lowest moments, when they bowed out of Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland.

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

“I am not committing to a timescale on that,” said manager Gareth Southgate on 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 – some are at the forefront, speak first, lead from the front in different ways.

“Others more thoughtful, take responsibility on the ball, show leadership in other ways. Everybody’s different. But I am not in a rush to make that decision.”

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 Scotland, on which the England manager was unwilling to open up.

Burnley goalkeeper Heaton will be rewarded with his first international start and Stoke’s Butland will play the second half having not represented his country since suffering an ankle injury against Germany 444 days ago.

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

“Tom has had an outstanding season. We’ve got to maintain the squad environment, that people feel involved. In that goalkeeping situation, you need to give players opportunity, gametime.

“I think in the past one or two goalkeepers have sort of given up international football because they’ve not had that chance, so I am conscious of keeping people involved.

“Equally,jackiscomingback from a long lay-off. He was the No 2 before that, hasn’t had the amountofgame-timeperhaps up to now, but we think he can also challenge for the number one slot moving forwards.

“We’ve got good competition for places, it’s a greatly opportunity to look at people.

“It’s a difficult call on Fraser (Forster), who also is a very good goalkeeper, but with those four and Jordan Pickford and a couple of lads coming up potentially from the Championship next year, we’re healthy.

“Like in all positions, we want competition for places.” 0 Harry Kane, left, partnering team-mate Adam Lallana in training yesterday, will skipper the England team again in tonight’s friendly against France at the Stade de France. Newcastle United are hoping to face Hearts in a friendly match at Tynecastle next month on a date yet to be confirmed.

Both clubs are keen to secure the fixture, which would be played with three sides open at the ground where the main stand is currentlybeing rebuilt. The match would also need police approval.

Meanwhile, Hearts have announced that they will face St Patricks Athletic at Richmond Park in Dublin on Wednesday 5 July during their pre-season preparations in Ireland. They had already arranged a friendly match against Linfield at Windsor Park, Belfast, on Saturday 8 July.