MX23RW : Monday, December 30 20:14:19| >> :60:2306:2306:

The potential replacements for Harry Kane fail at Euro 2020

The potential replacements for Harry Kane fail at Euro 2020
© Reuters
The Three Lions play their first game of Euro 2020 against Croatia on June 14.

England manager Gareth Southgate will be hoping captain Harry Kane returns fighting fit following hamstring surgery to lead the team into the Euro 2020 finals.

Kane was the leading scorer in Euro 2020 qualifying with 12 goals and Tottenham have said they expect him to be back in training some time in April.

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, though, has been non-committal over an expected time frame for the striker's return to action following an operation after he suffered a ruptured tendon at Southampton on New Year's Day.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at who Southgate could turn to if Kane is not fit to lead the England attack for the first game of the tournament against Croatia at Wembley on June 14.

Rashford steps up

Marcus Rashford marked his 200th Manchester United appearance with a double strike in the 4-0 Premier League defeat of Norwich.

At 22, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the best is yet to come for the striker, who has 10 international goals from his 38 caps so far.

Should Kane lack match sharpness – or not be available at all – then Southgate could opt to deploy Rashford in a more central role.

Sterling work

Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling continues to impress for both club and country (Steven Paston/PA)

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has already passed 50 England caps, with 12 goals.

The 25-year-old remains at the heart of City's formidable frontline and integral to Southgate's plans as the England camp look to move on from his fall-out with Joe Gomez.

Much like Rashford, the option of pushing Sterling through the middle is there for Southgate – but would change the dynamic of England's current fluid attack.

Tammy's time

England forward Tammy Abraham
England forward Tammy Abraham has been in fine form for Chelsea (Nick Potts/PA)

Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham may only have four senior caps so far, but he shows plenty of potential.

The 22-year-old took his club tally to 13 Premier League goals as the Blues beat Burnley 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has plenty of faith in Abraham's credibility as a lead man – one which Southgate could look to explore should Kane not be available.

Ings the target

While Bournemouth's Callum Wilson has emerged as the go-to back-up man for the Three Lions, there have been calls for Southampton's Danny Ings to get his chance ahead of Euro 2020.

The former Burnley and Liverpool forward has scored 14 Premier League goals for the improving Saints this season following his return to fitness and form.

The 27-year-old earned his only England cap when coming on as a substitute against Lithuania during 2015.

The Euro 2020 warm-up games against Italy and Denmark in March could offer the perfect chance for Southgate to take another look.

Bring Vardy back to the party

Leicester forward Jamie Vardy has enjoyed a revival this season, scoring 17 Premier League goals for Brendan Rodgers' exciting side.

Vardy may have stepped down from international duty following the 2018 World Cup, but Southgate maintains the door has not yet been firmly closed by either side.

Having just turned 33, there are certainly younger options than Vardy but – in an hour of need – could the Three Lions boss opt to go back to the future?

ID:386004: cacheID:386004:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9381:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their fifth goal against Aston Villa on January 12, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Aguero, Rashford, Van Dijk
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!