England able without Kane, insists Davies
SOUTHGATE FACES DECISION OVER WHETHER TO REST HIS CAPTAIN
BEN Davies insists England have plenty of ‘world-class’ options to replace Harry Kane amid talk Gareth Southgate should rest his skipper for tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Wales.
Former England captains Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney have both urged the Three Lions boss to rest the striker with qualification for the knockout stages in Qatar all but guaranteed.
England would have to lose 4-0 to Wales to be denied a round-of-16 spot and Kane, who picked up a knock on the ankle in the first group game against Iran, was subdued in the goalless draw with the United States that he was ultimately declared fit for.
Davies said of his Tottenham team-mate, who he came up against in England’s 2-1 win over Wales at Euro 2016: “Harry’s a world-class player and one of the best in the world, so he’s going to make any team better with him in there.
“That doesn’t mean that England don’t have very capable replacements to come in.
“Whoever we’re up against, we’re facing a team of world-class players. “They’re a world-class side. It’s going to be a very tough game, but we have to prep as well as we can, look for areas of weakness they have and try and capitalise on that.
“We’re under no illusions it’s not going to be anything other than very difficult.”
Wales’ World Cup hopes of making the last 16 are hanging by a thread after their first two games. An opening 1-1 draw with the United States was followed by Friday’s crushing 2-0 defeat to Iran.
Wales must beat England on Tuesday – something they have not achieved since 1984 – and hope Iran and the United States draw their final group game to get into the knockout phase.
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey misses the game through suspension after being sent off in the closing stages against Iran.
Danny Ward will deputise and Joe Allen, who came off the bench against Iran after being out for two months with hamstring damage, is set to start in midfield.
“I don’t think we could be more motivated. We’re in the World Cup and have to win,” said Allen. “Regardless of who we play in it, we all know what’s at stake and what a huge moment it is for our nation. “It’s about putting everything into it. Ideally you want it to be in your hands but this is the situation we find ourselves in. While there’s still a glimmer of a chance of going through we’ve got to throw everything we can at it.” The Wales squad began their training session yesterday by observing a minute’s silence in memory of Gary Speed on the 11th anniversary of his death.
Speed, capped 85 times as player, is credited with laying the foundations for Wales’ success over the last decade during his time as Wales manager.