England boss Gareth Southgate says Harry Kane's absence offers Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney a "brilliant opportunity" to shine in his side's attack.
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England face Brazil and BelgiumStriker Kane could miss both gamesWatkins & Toney have 'brilliant opportunity'Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Three Lions captain Kane is set to miss their friendly with Brazil on Saturday due to an ankle injury, and manager Southgate has confirmed Cole Palmer and Jordan Henderson will also miss out. He added the Bayern Munich star is "extremely doubtful" to face Belgium on Tuesday, but the 30-year-old's absence opens the door for another in attack – namely Villa's Watkins or Brentford's Toney.
AdvertisementGetty WHAT GARETH SOUTHGATE SAID
He told reporters: "I would say Cole [Palmer] and Hendo [Jordan Henderson] have a better chance for Belgium than Harry [Kane] – he'd be extremely doubtful for that. It's a brilliant opportunity for other players."
When asked if Toney and Watkins were competing for one spot in the squad, Southgate replied: "That is a decision that we have to make. A nine is a specialist position but they have different attributes. It would depend a little bit on the injury status in other positions in the squad and also having perhaps players that can play more than one role. I think both of them are aware that the opportunity is a big one. But they're both in good form, they've both had time with us. Ollie's [Watkins] been with us more recently, of course, and has done well in the games he's played. He's had a fabulous season for his club. Ivan [Toney], since he's come back into Brentford's team, has had the impact we expected him to, so they are two very, very good players."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With Southgate's contract expiring in December 2024, this may be his last chance to claim some silverware as England manager. And picking the right personnel for this year's Euros will be key in whether that trophy bid is successful or not as the Three Lions aim to win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Southgate guided England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, the final of the delayed European Championships, and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
WHAT NEXT?
After England's upcoming games against Brazil and Belgium, Southgate's side have just two more warm-up fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in June before the Euros get underway later that month. The Three Lions will play Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in the group stages.
