Harry Kane will miss England’s friendly with Japan at Wembley after sustaining a minor injury on the eve of the clash.
It’s understood Kane suffered bruising during England’s final training session and the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker has been disregarded of Thomas Tuchel’s 25-man matchday party as a precaution.
The problem is just not believed to be serious but Kane has remained with the remaining of the squad to receive further assessment.
The England captain also played no part within the side’s previous friendly with Uruguay. Tuchel confirmed on the time that he was keen to administer the forward’s workload through the international break.
The Three Lions have made a complete of ten changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Uruguay last Friday, with Manchester City’s Phil Foden the one player to maintain his place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI.
‘A minor injury mainly out of nothing, it just happened,’ Tuchel told ITV Sport’s Gabriel Clarke when asked for an update on Kane’s condition ahead of kick-off.
‘He needed to step out of coaching after quarter-hour, no probability to be involved, not even today.
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‘So he’s further assessed now and can be later within the stadium to observe.’
Asked whether he deemed Kane’s injury to be ‘serious’, Tuchel replied: ‘Well it’s serious enough to not find a way to play.
‘We’ve to attend for further assessment.’
A brief statement from England confirmed that Jordan Henderson had returned to his club Brentford prior to this evening’s fixture within the capital.
Marc Guehi wears the captain’s armband in Kane’s absence and starts in new-look defence with Ezri Konsa, Ben White and Nico O’Reilly.
Established primary Jordan Pickford returns in goal for the hosts, coming in for James Trafford, who made his full international debut last day trip against Uruguay.
In midfield, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo can be seeking to strengthen their respective cases for a spot in Tuchel’s World Cup squad, with Cole Palmer set to play within the No.10 position.
Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Foden have been given the nod in attack, with Dominic Solanke – the one out-and-out centre-forward in Tuchel’s matchday squad – named on the bench.
Having played within the No.10 role previously, Foden is predicted to play through the center as a false nine, with Gordon prone to start on the left flank and Rogers on the precise.
‘We want a very good performance because we play against a very good opponent so we have to be very energetic and really smart against the ball to get our press right,’ Tuchel added.
‘Japan play relentless over the 90 minutes so they may not allow us to breathe.
‘We want a whole performance to find a way to win.’
After tonight’s match, England have just two more friendlies remaining against Latest Zealand (June 6) and Costa Rica (June 10) before attentions turn to the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Three Lions kick off this summer’s tournament with a heavyweight Group L match versus Croatia on June 17.
Kane and Co then lock horns with Ghana on June 23 before wrapping up their group-stage campaign against Panama on June 27.
More to follow.
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