The injury Harry Kane picked up in a World Cup opener against Iran will not keep him out of a meeting with the USMNT, Gareth Southgate has confirmed.
Kane injured ankle against IranUnderwent a scan to determine seriousnessStriker has scored 51 goals for his country
WHAT HAPPENED? Kane was on the end of a crunching tackle just after half-time in England’s 6-2 victory against Iran. He was substituted for Callum Wilson and could be seen limping with light strapping around his ankle after the game and has since undergone a scan on the issue.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: It has now been revealed that no lasting damage has been suffered by the Tottenham striker, meaning that he will be clear to line up against the United States in England’s second Group B outing on Friday. Kane has scored 51 goals for the Three Lions to date, including six in World Cup competition, making him the attacking focal point and captain of Southgate’s team.
WHAT THEY SAID: Southgate has told ITV Sport when delivering an update on Kane’s fitness: “He’s good. He’s worked a little bit more individually today, but he’ll be back in with the team tomorrow and all good for the game. We just checked him out just to see. I think, sometimes, when you’re treating things, it’s important to know exactly what is there and that was all good. It’s not so much the ankle, it’s more the foot. It was a poor challenge, really, but I think it’s one that, fortunately, we’ve got away with reasonably lightly. I was [holding my breath] when he went down on the pitch, but once he’d carried on playing, everything has been good.”
IN THREE PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND? The Three Lions will qualify for the World Cup knockout stages if they beat the USMNT, and will wrap up their group stage schedule with a home nations clash against Wales on November 29.
