Gareth Southgate has allayed fears over Harry Kane’s fitness after the England captain reportedly picked up a muscle injury during training prior to Sunday’s clash with Belgium.
The Tottenham striker was only named on the bench for the UEFA Nations League clash against the number one ranked side in the world, having sustained a small niggle in the build-up to the match.
It was initially suggested that Kane would miss Sunday’s game entirely and was a doubt for Wednesday’s clash against Denmark too.
However, Southgate says the injury fears have been overplayed and Kane only suffered cramp during the week and could come off the bench against Belgium, though England are keen to tread carefully with their skipper.
Asked for an update on Kane, Southgate explained: ‘He started training Wednesday and had a bit of what he felt was cramp, so he’s had muscle fatigue basically.
‘He’s not injured and he’s there perhaps for later in the game.
‘He seems more confident in how he feels, but he hasn’t had a lot of training time on the pitch this week.’
Tottenham are believed to have requested that Kane be released from international duty so he can be monitored by the club, though he remains in contention to play – and even start – against Denmark in midweek.
With Kane missing, Southgate has opted for in-form Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to lead the line ahead of Danny Ings, with the Toffees frontman having netted on his debut against Wales.
Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford will be tasked with providing him support, with Southgate otherwise opting for a defensive formation which features three right-backs – with Kieran Trippier set to play at left wing-back again.
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