Harry Kane, England’s record goal-scorer, will not start in Thursday’s Nations League clash against Greece as he continues to recover from an injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich. The 31-year-old striker picked up the knock during a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend and has been following an individual training program since joining the England squad earlier this week.
Interim manager Lee Carsley has confirmed that while Kane has not been ruled out of the match entirely, he will not be in the starting lineup. Carsley emphasized that Kane’s recovery is a priority and that they will not rush his return. “Harry’s nursing a small knock. Something that we won’t take a chance with,” Carsley said during a press conference on Wednesday. The hope is that Kane may be fit for Sunday’s match against Finland.
In Kane’s absence, Manchester City defender John Stones will captain England for the first time. Stones, who will earn his 82nd cap, expressed his excitement about leading the team at Wembley, calling it a dream come true. “It’s an absolute honor to captain England. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” said the 30-year-old.
Carsley also provided updates on Jack Grealish, who picked up a slight knock in training, and hinted at Cole Palmer potentially making his first competitive start for England. Palmer, who was recently named England’s Men’s Player of the Year, has been in outstanding form for Chelsea this season, scoring six goals. Carsley praised Palmer’s performances, stating, “Cole’s in fantastic form, and it’s exciting to see how he’s carried that into this week.”
Greece’s manager, Ivan Jovanovic, spoke highly of England’s evolution under Carsley, noting a shift toward a more possession-based style compared to the era of Gareth Southgate, who led England to the Euro 2024 final. Jovanovic emphasized that his team would not be at Wembley for “tourism,” indicating their intent to challenge England in the Nations League showdown.
As England prepares to face Greece in this crucial Group B2 match, all eyes will be on the players filling Kane’s void and the leadership of John Stones. England fans are hopeful for another strong performance as they aim to secure their spot at the top of the group.
