Harry Kane will MISS England’s game against Belgium and return to Bayern Munich for treatment on ankle injury, Gareth Southgate confirms… after Ollie Watkins deputised for Three Lions skipper in defeat to Brazil

Harry Kane will miss England’s friendly with Belgium on Tuesday, Gareth Southgate has confirmed.

Kane has been struggling with an ankle injury and missed the 1-0 loss to Brazil on Saturday, with Southgate admitting his captain had been ‘extremely doubtful’ to feature in his side’s second friendly.

The Three Lions boss has now confirmed Kane will not feature in the international break and will return to club side Bayern Munich for treatment.

England missed their captain on what was a difficult night for the hosts, with the majority of their chances coming from set pieces as they struggled to test debutant goalkeeper Bento.

They will have to make do again on Tuesday, however, and Southgate will be hoping for an improved performance despite the absence of a number of first team players through injury.

‘(Kane) will go back,’ Southgate said of Kane after seeing his side lose the first of their four preparation games for the European Championships this summer. ‘He won’t be fit for Tuesday.

‘(Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer) trained today so they’ve come through that OK. They should join the group that will train tomorrow and we’ll go from there with that.’

Kane suffered an ankle injury whilst playing for Bayern Munich last Saturday after colliding with a goalpost in his side’s win over Darmstadt.

Kane suffered an ankle injury whilst playing for Bayern Munich last Saturday after colliding with a goalpost in his side’s win over Darmstadt.

Kane had missed parts of training this week and was receiving treatment at St George’s Park following a scan on Monday.

Ollie Watkins deputised for Kane and had one chance of note in the first half but fired over from close range.

Kyle Walker, meanwhile, started as captain before Harry Maguire took over when the Manchester City man went off injured. 

Ivan Toney is the other recognised centre forward in the squad, and may get the chance to feature from the start on Tuesday, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon can also play centrally.

‘That’s a decision we’ll have to make, number nine is a specialist position,’ Southgate said of Watkins and Toney before the game with Brazil. ‘They have different attributes.

‘It will depend on injuries in other positions and players who can play in more than one role. Both are aware the opportunity is a big one. They both are in good form and have had time with us.

‘Ollie has done well and Ivan has had the impact we expected him to.’