Kane fit and able to play
Skipper to shrug off ankle knock
ENGLAND captain harry Kane was able to take part in a training session yesterday after a scan showed the injury to his right ankle was not as bad as feared.
The Tottenham striker had suffered a hefty blow from a reckless tackle in Monday’s 6-2 win against iran that left him in discomfort.
he went for a precautionary scan yesterday amid fears he might miss England’s remaining two group games, but the news was better than expected for head coach Gareth southgate.
The 29-year-old’s recovery has been aided by Elorriaga Claraco, a Canadian-based sports medicine specialist who has been working with Kane for around three years and who is in Qatar.
it is likely now that Kane will lead the team out to face USA tomorrow evening, albeit with his ankle strapped.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also allayed concerns over the skipper’s fitness, saying: ‘i think he is good, a little bit sore but he is fine and been out with us on the grass. he is our captain. he has been good. he is fine.’
southgate’s tournament hopes have also been boosted by the news that key central defender harry Maguire has been passed fit following his substitution in the second half of the iran game complaining of illness.
The head coach must now decide whether to include Kane and Maguire in the starting Xi for tomorrow’s game at the Al Bayt stadium, but at least both are in line to be available.
however, Leicester City’s James Maddison missed training again yesterday as he continues to recuperate from a knee problem and is a doubt for the Group B clash.
But it was news of Kane’s fitness that provided England with the biggest boost yesterday.
The striker’s ankle will remain heavily strapped as a precaution over the coming days but, provided he does not suffer any adverse reaction in the next 24 hours, he should be ready for the second group game where a win will guarantee qualification for the last 16.
it emerged on Tuesday night that Kane would require a scan after limping out of a challenge from Morteza Pouraliganji. he stayed on the pitch until the 75th minute when he was replaced by Newcastle forward Callum Wilson.
The striker left the Khalifa stadium after the game with light strapping on the ankle and was walking with a slight limp.
he was involved in an indoor recovery session on Tuesday, a development viewed as positive news ahead of his scan.
Any remaining anxieties over the harm caused by the blow to Kane’s ankle have eased after the scan results meant he could train yesterday afternoon.
specialist Claraco has been working with the player privately for around three years.
Mailonline revealed in september that Kane hired the highlyrespected spaniard, who works in Ontario, to help him cure his well-documented ankle issues.
The expert has worked wonders with Kane, who has been relatively injury-free for more than two years after a history of niggling problems — particularly with his ankles.
in his role as an iTV analyst, Sportsmail columnist Graeme souness has questioned why Kane — who needs three goals to beat Wayne Rooney’s England scoring record and won the Golden Boot in Russia in 2018 — was allowed to continue playing after suffering the injury in the 48th minute, with England leading 3-0 at the time.
souness said: ‘i am watching with the manager’s head on. i am thinking this boy has got a history of problems with his ankles. he played on, he wasn’t right. i am thinking he has to come off now. he had 27 minutes running on that ankle.
‘he is thinking there are goals in this game against iran and i want to stay on. You don’t need to risk harry any more.’