SOUTHGATE’S PAIN OVER KANE

ANTONIO CONTE’S decision to start Harry Kane in Tottenham’s Carabao Cup third-round defeat by Nottingham Forest earlier this week did not go down well with England manager Gareth Southgate, who was hoping his captain and leading scorer would be given a rare night off ahead of the World Cup.

Kane has now started 21 successive matches for Tottenham, which will no doubt become 22 when Leeds visit this afternoon, although his side’s 2-0 defeat at the City Ground means he will at least be spared playing a fourth-round tie three days after the World Cup final.