England vs Brazil: Harry Kane set to miss friendly but Arsenal hopeful over Bukayo Saka blow

Wembley match offers chance for fringe players to stake claim for Euro 2024
Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP22 March 2024

England have received a fresh injury blow after Bukayo Saka’s exit from the squad last night, with Harry Kane set to miss Saturday’s friendly against Brazil after sitting out training again.

Kane reported to St. George's Park with an ankle injury sustained for Bayern Munich and has been unable to train outdoors with the rest of the squad.

He is expected to be rested for Brazil's visit to Wembley, leaving manager Gareth Southgate to choose between Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, who are jostling to be Kane's understudy at Euro 2024.

Kane remains part of the camp and there is optimism he could be fit to face Belgium at the national stadium on Tuesday night - England's final match before Southgate names his squad for the tournament on May 21.

Arsenal winger Saka last night pulled out of the squad and returned to his club, having reported to England's training base with a minor muscle injury on Tuesday.

His withdrawal was described as 'a precaution' by sources close to the winger and there is hope that he will be fit to face Manchester City in the crunch title showdown on March 31.

England Men's March Training Camp
The FA via Getty Images

Toney found the net in four of his first five appearances for Brentford after his eight-month betting ban was lifted in January, while only Erling Haaland has scored more top-flight goals than Watkins' 16 this season.

With Southgate restricted to 23 players for the Euros, after being able to name 26-man squads for the last two major tournaments, there may not be space for both Toney and Watkins on the plane to Germany.

In-form Manchester City winger Phil Foden is likely to start in one of the wide positions in the front three, with Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bowen, James Maddison, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon also pushing for an opportunity to impress against the five-time world champions.

Jordan Henderson also missed training on Friday morning, leaving the Ajax midfielder unlikely to feature tomorrow night and opening the door to Chelsea's Conor Gallagher or Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo to start as England's third man in midfield.

Wembley will pay tribute to former England player and manager Terry Venables before the match, their first international since his passing in November.

Members of Venables' Euro '96 squad, including Paul Gascoigne, will be in attendance for a special commemoration in the Wembley Suite before watching the friendly from the Royal Box.

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