Who can England call upon if Harry Kane misses the World Cup?
- Michael Oliver
- @MichaelOIiver
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After Harry Kane what could be a potentially severe ankle injury in the win over Bournemouth, the England striker was spotted on crutches and in a walking boot amid fears he could be set for a long-term lay-off.
Should Kane be sidelined for the long-term, Gareth Southgate will need to assess his options for Kane stand-ins through the middle for England, and we take a look at his potential replacements as England’s leading man.
Jamie Vardy
With 19 England caps to his name, Vardy is the most likely candidate to stand in for an injured Harry Kane.
With 16 goals this season, Vardy is in fine form and will be a problem for most defences.
Jermain Defoe
If Southgate wants an experienced option, he shouldn’t look beyond Bournemouth’s Jermain Defoe.
The 35-year-old has scored 20 goals in 57 caps for England and could be in contention for a call-up.
Daniel Sturridge
Despite struggling with injuries in recent seasons, Sturridge is one of few England forwards with major tournament experience and should be under consideration.
Marcus Rashford
After breaking through as a striker, Rashford has been used exclusively as a winger this season by Jose Mourinho but the attacker has found form at the right time, netting twice in their recent win over Liverpool.
Danny Welbeck
Welbeck has struggled for form and fitness for Arsenal but with 15 goals in 36 England caps, the striker has usually delivered for the national team.
Michail Antonio
The versatile forward has been named in recent England squads without making his international debut, but Antonio has a rare combination of pace and power that has made him a regular goalscorer at Premier League level.
Wayne Rooney
Despite retiring from international football, England’s all-time leading goalscorer has 10 Premier League goals this season, proving he still has the quality to perform at the top level.
If Kane is ruled out, perhaps Rooney could be coaxed out of retirement for one last run.
Glenn Murray
A real left-field suggestion, but other than Kane and Vardy, no Englishman has scored more Premier League goals this season who has bagged 11 so far for Brighton.
The uncapped 34-year-old a physical bruiser and offers a different dimension in attack.
Andy Carroll
Speaking of physical bruisers, they don’t come much bigger than Andy Carroll.
Sidelined with a broken foot, Carroll is expected to be fit for action again in May, putting him in line for a timely return to the national side.
Tammy Abraham
Abraham earned his first England caps earlier this season and is highly regarded in the national team set-up, but with just four goals for Swansea this season, it’s perhaps a big ask for him to be called upon to replace Kane.
Dominic Solanke
Another who made their international debut this season, Solanke was the star of the U20 World Cup which England won, but is yet to net his first Premier League goal for Liverpool.
Charlie Austin
Austin was an unused sub for England when he was first called up to the senior squad in 2015 but has struggled with injuries since.
Limited to just 16 Premier League games this season, scoring six goals, Austin could be a dark horse if he proves his fitness.
Ashley Barnes
Barnes has been one of the standout performers for Burnley this season, netting six Premier League goals and would be a real shock call-up, but his performances have been among the best of and English attacker.
Callum Wilson
Wilson has had horrific luck with injuries but when fit, his pace and power can trouble even the best defenders. He’s been on the fringes of squads in the past and a strong end to a season where he’s already scored seven goals could see him included in Southgate’s squad.
Troy Deeney
Since Watford’s promotion to the Premier League three years ago, Deeney has netted 28 league goals and could find himself in the mix for a call-up also.
Patrick Bamford
Southgate has strong links with the England U21 setup and worked with Bamford at youth level. The Middlesborough striker is in the form of his life having netted eight goals in his last five games and could be under consideration.
Leon Bailey
An outside pick here. It was recently reported that uncapped Jamaican Leon Bailey was eligible to play for England courtesy of his English grandparents and he’s allegedly set for talks with the FA regarding committing his international future to England.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward has nine goals and five assists in the Bundesliga this season and is regarded as one of the best young players in Europe.