England’s preparations for their upcoming international fixture have been rocked by a major setback — captain and talisman Harry Kane is struggling with an ankle problem and has not joined training with the squad today. The Bayern Munich striker is now a significant doubt for tomorrow’s game, leaving manager Gareth Southgate with a serious selection headache.
According to sources close to the England camp, Kane picked up a knock to his ankle during Bayern Munich’s recent 3–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Although the initial signs suggested a minor issue, the discomfort has reportedly worsened, forcing medical staff to take precautionary measures. Southgate and his coaching team are said to be monitoring the situation closely, unwilling to risk their star forward’s long-term fitness.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Kane has been in electric form for Bayern this season, continuing the blistering scoring streak that made him a hero in Germany. His sharp finishing, leadership, and link-up play have been central to both Bayern’s unbeaten run and England’s recent attacking fluency. Losing him now, even temporarily, could disrupt the Three Lions’ momentum.
Southgate now faces a difficult decision — whether to give Kane time to recover or turn to one of his deputies. Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are both in contention to lead the line if Kane is deemed unfit, but neither offers the same combination of experience and world-class finishing that the England skipper brings.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are also keeping a close eye on developments. With crucial Bundesliga and Champions League fixtures looming, Vincent Kompany’s staff have reportedly requested updates from the England medical team. The Bavarian giants can ill afford to lose their prolific striker, whose consistency and leadership have been vital to their dominant start to the season.
Kane, known for his resilience, will be desperate to feature — but England’s medical team are prioritising caution. “It’s not serious, but we’ll assess him day by day,” one insider told reporters, suggesting that a late fitness test could determine his availability.
As England fans hold their breath, the situation underscores Kane’s immense importance to both club and country. A minor setback could quickly escalate if mishandled — and with both Southgate and Kompany eyeing silverware this season, no one will want to take that gamble.
