Harry Kane pulls out of England squad for Germany and Brazil friendlies as Tottenham striker nurses knee injury
- Harry Kane will play no part in upcoming matches for England due to injury
- Tottenham star will scupper Gareth Southgate's plans for friendlies
- Striker has impressive record, scoring seven goals in his last six internationals
- Jake Livermore is in line to be called up to England squad as result of absences
England have been dealt a double injury blow with Harry Kane and Harry Winks ruled out of the friendlies against Germany and Brazil.
Tottenham striker Kane picked up a knee injury in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, and Winks suffered an ankle ligament injury in the same game.
England manager Gareth Southgate has drafted in West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore.
Harry Kane is to withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming international friendlies
The Tottenham striker sustained a knee injury at the weekend against Crystal Palace
It is the withdrawal of Kane that comes as the biggest blow to Southgate as he prepares for the two prestige friendlies.
Kane, who is favourite to become permanent England captain, has scored seven goals in his last six internationals and is one of only a handful of players guaranteed to start in Russia next summer.
But after injuring a knee in Sunday's win over Crystal Palace, the decision has been taken for Kane to miss England's next two fixtures.
Kane, who has only just returned from a hamstring injury, was assessed by Tottenham medics on Monday morning before his withdrawal was confirmed. The injury is not understood to be serious.
Tottenham's first Premier League game after the internatonals is the north London derby against Arsenal on Saturday, November 18.
Kane admitted he needs to take care of his body during the long arduous season
Speaking before his withdrawal, Kane admitted he is wary of burn-out, saying: 'The hamstrings are fine but we've got keep an eye on it.
'It's something that's happened and we don't want it to happen again. It's about maintaining it. It's a long old season. If I'm fit and called upon I'm happy to play. It's always an honour to play for my country. I'd never turn that down. So we'll see what happens.
'It's always a case of managing your fitness. We play so many games and we've had so many high-intensity games — Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool — it takes it out of you.
'I'm in the same boat as everyone else. We play a lot of games and you have to deal with it. Away from football, the recovery is just as important and that's what I'll try to do.
'The Spurs manager does his best to keep everyone in the best shape possible and I'm sure Gareth will do the same.'
Southgate's plans have been thrown into disarray with a number of stars out injured
Tottenham are wary of taking any risks with Kane who has been integral to their season
Winks, who would have started one of the games, will be disappointed at his forced withdrawal.
Dele Alli had already pulled out of the squad because of a hamstring injury.
There are also doubts over the fitness of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Liverpool's Jordan Henderson.
The pair were assessed by their clubs yesterday morning and could yet be forced to drop out of Southgate's squad.
If Kane, Henderson and Cahill all withdraw, it is likely Joe Hart will captain the team against Germany on Friday.
After a promising England debut Harry Winks is also to miss the upcoming internationals
England then play Brazil next Tuesday.
And one Tottenham player who could feature is full back Danny Rose, who revealed that dinner dates with Southgate have helped in his recovery from a serious knee injury. Rose is back in the England squad and spent time at St George's Park during his rehabilitation.
Rose said: 'I've spoken to Gareth a lot. I did rehab at the England training centre. I was around him for three weeks and we had dinner together most days and spoke pretty much every day.'
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