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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Gareth Southgate confirms Harry Kane decision despite Jamie Carragher's England claim

England boss Gareth Southgate has all-but confirmed Harry Kane will start against Czech Republic on Tuesday evening.

The Three Lions go into their final group match following a win and draw against Croatia and Scotland, respectively, and Kane has struggled in both.

The Tottenham striker has looked nowhere near his best, but has received next-to-no service from his team-mates and there were calls for him to be taken out of the starting XI.

Perhaps most notably, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher said that the 27-year-old should be taken out of the spotlight for the final group match against Czech Republic.

Carragher wrote in his Telegraph column: "The only way England can go far in this tournament is with a fit and on-form Kane so everything Southgate does in his team selection and set-up must be about getting the best from him.

"That is why - for his and the team’s sake - I would leave him on the bench against the Czechs. It’s not about ‘dropping’ him.

"It’s about thinking ahead, revitalising Kane for the last-16 tie which is going to be against a much stronger opponent than Tuesday's."

However, despite calls from Kane to be rested, Southgate has revealed his captain is set to keep his place in the side.

"Well you can assume that, yes, absolutely. I don't mind giving you that one," the England boss told ITV when asked if Kane would start.

Southgate added on Kane's substitutions: "In one of the games, we were already ahead, we needed energy to press and keep the lead.

"We didn't need an additional goal. Harry ended up playing a lot of football and we felt the need to manage that load this time and we have got options on the bench.

"He's our most important player, there's no doubt about that and you only have to look at his goal scoring record to see his importance to the team."

Kane has been taken off in both of England's Euro matches so far, with the Three Lions struggling to create many chances, with just one goal - via Raheem Sterling - scored in more than 180 minutes of football so far.

The Spurs star came into the international tournament in fine form after earning his third Premier League Golden Boot after netting 23 times throughout the 2020/21 campaign.

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