England ‘can’t win the World Cup’ without captain Harry Kane

England captain Harry Kane is an injury concern ahead of Friday’s Fifa World Cup game against the United States. Tottenham striker Kane was due to have a scan on his right ankle today after picking up the knock in the 6-2 victory over Iran.

In the opening World Cup group B game on Monday, Kane received treatment in the 48th minute after being caught by a heavy tackle from Morteza Pouraliganji. Although he managed to play on, he was later replaced by Newcastle’s Callum Wilson. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate said he felt that Kane was “fine” and he took the skipper off because “we felt it was a moment in the game we could do that”.

The 29-year-old has “a long history of ankle issues”, said Jacob Steinberg in The Guardian. After the game he was seen “walking with a slight limp” and “wearing strapping” on his right ankle.

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Kate trained with the squad today and despite the precautionary scan, there is now “a confidence within the camp” that he will be able to play against the US, said David Hytner in The Guardian.

“I think Harry is good, probably just a little bit sore,” England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford told reporters. “I’m sure he is fine. He was out on the grass with us today, which is good. He is our captain.”

Could England cope without Kane?

England fans should be “biting their nails” ahead of Kane’s scan, said Oliver Holt in the Daily Mail. Describing the striker as the team’s “most important player”, Holt believes that while England can still progress in the competition, “I don’t think we can win the World Cup without Harry Kane”. England could cope without him for a couple of games, but “it would be a heavy blow if he were to be ruled out”.

Kane won the golden boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and in his international career for England he has scored 51 goals in 76 appearances. Although he didn’t score in the match against Iran, Kane played an “influential role” and set up two of the six goals, said Phil Spencer on talkSPORT. He’s now just two away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s all-time England men’s record of 53 goals.