Gareth Southgate will name Harry Kane in his squad for England’s Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands, even though he has not played since Tottenham’s Champions League victory over Manchester City on April 9, Sky Sports News understands.
Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful, Kane, who is recovering from angle ligament damage, will be fit to play some part against Liverpool in the Champions League Final on June 1 – just five days before England’s semi-final in Portugal.
But Southgate will still include Kane in an expanded England squad to be named at Wembley on Thursday lunchtime, even though it’s far from clear how much football – if any – Kane will be able to play in an England shirt next month.
It’s thought he won’t stipulate publicly, or to the players, which members of his initial squad are only there on standby.
The Champions League and Europa League finals have proved a logistical nightmare for Southgate and the FA, who will be forced to have a staggered join-up by the players, as they prepare for UEFA’s inaugural showpiece.
(Sky Sports)