Gareth Southgate willing to gamble on England talisman Harry Kane against Denmark

Gareth Southgate is ready to risk the wrath of Jose Mourinho by playing Harry Kane against Denmark on Wednesday despite the England captain suffering a worrying injury scare.

As revealed by Sportsmail on Saturday night, Tottenham striker Kane was a shock absentee from Sunday’s starting XI as England recorded a brave win over world No 1 side Belgium.

His omission sparked concerns regarding Kane’s fitness – but Southgate insisted he was suffering from muscular fatigue and hadn’t suffered an injury.

Gareth Southgate is willing to play Harry Kane against Denmark this week despite injury fears

The England captain made a 25 minute cameo in the win over Belgium at Wembley on Sunday

But news of Kane’s problem has sparked significant concern at Spurs, who are understandably fearful of their star striker aggravating the ailment ahead of his return to the club.

Mourinho warned Southgate about potential fatigue factors with regards to Kane given Spurs’ relentless start to the season.

But even though Sportsmail sources claim Tottenham medics would prefer their talisman to return to the club, Southgate still gave Kane 25 minutes in yesterday’s victory at Belgium and intends to give his skipper a long run-out on against the Danes. 

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has warned Southgate about fatigue factors around Kane

Southgate said: ‘We are hoping that Harry, with that progression tonight, he will get more confidence. Certainly Harry should be able to have more minutes (against Denmark).’

England and Tottenham medics are expected to hold further dialogue about Kane on Monday but Southgate, it appears, has no intention of releasing the striker.

However, Jordan Henderson, who captained the team in Kane’s absence, could miss the game against Denmark after completing his first 65 minutes of football since September 20 on Sunday.

England and Tottenham medics are expected to hold talks over Kane’s situation on Monday

‘Jordan is a little bit more complicated, we are going to have to assess him very carefully,’ said Southgate, who also confirmed Ben Chilwell has returned to training after missing the win over Wales and Sunday’s clash due to a combination of breaching Covid guidelines and a minor illness.

Meanwhile, on the encouraging win over Belgium, Southgate added: ‘We’re so young, it is an experience for them to play against such a top team and should give them a sense of what might be possible over the next few years for them.

‘Going at 1-1 the game felt a bit calmer than going in a goal behind. I thought the players in the second half, the way they used the ball was tremendous and we defended as a team.

Southgate admitted he was pleased with how England defended as a unit in their comeback

‘Every time somebody got beaten there was another man there to tidy up. I am very proud of what they did.’

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez allayed concerns that key Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered an injury after he was surprisingly substituted in the second half.

‘I wouldn’t say injury, he wasn’t 100 percent. It was more of a precaution,’ said Martinez.