Tottenham's Harry Kane urges caution to avoid more injury woe with England

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Giuseppe Muro6 November 2017

Harry Kane said his workload needs to be managed carefully after Mauricio Pochettino urged England to handle the Tottenham striker with care during the upcoming friendlies with Germany and Brazil.

Kane and team-mate Harry Winks were today being assessed by Spurs before they join up with England after both were substituted in Sunday's 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.

On Monday morning, the FA expected the two Tottenham players to be available for the World Cup warm-up matches against Germany and Brazil at Wembley on Friday and Tuesday week respectively.

But Kane was being assessed by doctors after he was taken off after 77 minutes as a precaution following a heavy challenge from Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

Winks was forced off at half-time at Wembley with an ankle injury.

Pochettino said on Sunday that Kane would be fine to join up with England, but Spurs would like Gareth Southgate to be careful with him. The striker returned last week from a hamstring injury and today said he is mindful of how much football he has played in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old says he is happy to play in both matches against Germany and Brazil but he feels it is important to take a long-term view on his fitness.

"My hamstring is fine," said Kane. "But, look, we have got to keep an eye on it. It is something that happened and we do not want it to happen again. It is about maintaining it.

"It is a long season and we play so many games. We have had so many high-intensity games... Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool.

"It takes it out of you. The manager does the best to keep everyone in the best shape possible and I am sure Gareth will do the same.

"Gareth will make the decision on what he thinks is best for the players and the team. If I am fit and if I am called upon, then I am happy to play.

"It is always an honour to play for my country, so I would never turn that down. We will see what happens."

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Crystal Palace | 05/11/2017

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Barring any unexpected problems, the FA expected Kane and Winks to join up with the England squad either later today or later in the week.

Southgate hopes both will be available to face Germany at Wembley on Friday.

England then face Brazil at the National Stadium next Tuesday.

Kane completed the 90 minutes against both Slovenia and Lithuania in the last international period and Pochettino feels his workload needs to be managed.

Spurs hope Southgate will not take any risks with Kane, who is vital to their chances of winning a major trophy this season. Speaking yesterday, Pochettino said: "It is a difficult situation for everyone.

"For us, we are focusing on our problems and our injuries but I also understand completely what the national team wants and needs.

"The most important thing is that the national teams, including England, understand the needs of our players and help them so they will be fit when they return here."

Dele Alli has already withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring injury.

Gary Cahill was also being assessed by Chelsea today after playing 90 minutes of their 1-0 win against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Everton’s Michael Keane, who returned from a foot infection against Watford yesterday, was today drafted into the England squad for the friendlies.

Jordan Henderson, who missed Liverpool’s 4-1 win over West Ham on Saturday because of a thigh problem, was also being checked by his club and is due to arrive later in the week.