KANE IS NOT ABLE England missing out on Harry
HARRY KANE is set to withdraw from the England squad to face Germany and Brazil — leaving Gareth Southgate’s plans in disarray.
The Tottenham striker’s club team-mate Harry Winks, who excelled on his international debut against Lithuania last month, is also likely to drop out due to an ankle ligament injury.
But it is the withdrawal of Kane that will come as the biggest blow to Southgate as he prepares for the two prestige friendlies.
Kane, who is favourite to become permanent England captain, has scored seven goals in his last six internationals and is one of only a handful of players guaranteed to start in Russia next summer.
But after picking up a knee injury in Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace, the decision has been taken for Kane to miss England’s next two fixtures.
Kane, who has only just returned from a hamstring injury, was assessed by Spurs medics yesterday morning before his withdrawal was confirmed. The injury is not understood to be serious but looks likely to rule him out.
Tottenham’s first Premier League game after the internatonals is the north London derby against Arsenal on November 18.
Speaking ahead of his withdrawal, Kane admitted he is wary of burn-out, saying: ‘The hamstrings are fine but we’ve got keep an eye on it. It’s something that’s happened and we don’t want it to happen again. It’s about maintaining it. It’s a long old season. If I’m fit and called upon I’m happy to play.
‘It’s always a case of managing your fitness. We play so many games and we’ve had so many high-intensity games — Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool — it takes it out of you.
‘I’m in the same boat as everyone else. We play a lot of games and you have to deal with it. Away from football, the recovery is just as important and that’s what I’ll try to do.
‘The Spurs manager does his best to keep everyone in the best shape possible and I’m sure Gareth will do the same.’
Winks, who would have started one of the games, will be disappointed at his forced withdrawal. Jake Livermore of West Bromwich Albion is set to be called up.
Dele Alli has already pulled out of the squad because of a hamstring injury. There are also doubts over the fitness of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
The pair were both assessed by their clubs yesterday morning and could yet be forced to drop out of Southgate’s squad.
If Kane, Henderson and Cahill all withdraw; it is likely Joe Hart will captain the team against Germany on Friday. England then play Brazil next Tuesday.
And one Tottenham player who could feature is full back Danny Rose, who revealed that dinner dates with Southgate have helped in his recovery from a serious knee injury. Rose is back in the England squad and spent time at St George’s Park during his rehabilitation.
Rose said: ‘I’ve spoken to Gareth a lot. I did rehab at the England training centre. I was around him for three weeks and we had dinner together most days and spoke pretty much every day.’