England manager Gareth Southgate has insisted that Harry Kane is injured after Maurico Pochettino declared the striker fit for next weekends North London Derby, according to the London Evening Standard.
Kane is one of a three Tottenham players who have withdrawn from the squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Germany, with Dele Alli and Harry Winks also dropping out.
However, Southgate has insisted that Kane is actually injured, and is not simply trying to avoid playing in the two friendlies ahead of key league fixtures coming up.
“I knew Harry Kane was in trouble because he stayed down [against Palace]. Harry Kane doesn’t stay down,” he said. “Both him and Harry Winks were scanned. Both scans were reviewed by our medical department — there’s no way they’re available for our two games.
“Spurs might risk them against Arsenal. I’m hearing talk of club versus country — it’s a nonsense. The players are injured and can’t play.
“With some players, it’s 100 per cent clear — there’s a scan. With a couple of other lads, there’s ongoing discussions with them. I have man-to-man discussions with them around how much risk we want to take.”
The Spurs trio aren’t the only players to withdraw from the squad, with Man City’s Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph, and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson also pulling out. This gives England call ups to Jack Cork, Jake Livermore and Michael Keane, all players out of form.
