England captain Harry Kane has delivered a pleasing update on his fitness as the Three Lions prepare to battle Slovenia in Tuesday's Euro 2024 Group C finale.
The Bayern Munich striker struggled with a back injury in the lead-up to the Championships but shook off the issue in time to be involved in his nation's two warm-up matches against Iceland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Kane subsequently played the full 90 minutes in England's opening 1-0 success over Serbia, although he was largely ineffective throughout the clash, barring one second-half header which Predrag Rajkovic had to tip onto the crossbar.
Four days later, Tottenham Hotspur's all-time record scorer got off the mark against Denmark in Frankfurt, although his close-range finish was not enough for all three points as Morten Hjulmand hit back with a long-range rocket.
Kane was subsequently hooked on the 70-minute mark for Ollie Watkins, who enjoyed a bright cameo despite his failure to inspire England to maximum points, leading to fleeting suggestions that the Aston Villa man could replace his skipper on Tuesday.
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Kane feeling "100%" ahead of knockout stages
However, speaking to a press conference on Sunday, Kane affirmed that he is feeling "100%" and believes that he is going from strength to strength in each game that he plays for his nation.
"I spoke before the tournament and I thought the preparation leading up to it was pretty good for me personally. Even the games in the tournament I have felt as fit as I have all season," the Tottenham striker said.
"I know I came off in the second game but that was down to the manager wanting to see something different and freshening up the front players especially. From my point of view I am fit.
"I am getting better and better in each game, I have spoken in previous tournaments about the same thing about trying to make sure you come into your peak for the most important part of the tournament which is the knockouts.
"Time will tell, if we get knocked out a lot of questions will be asked but from my point of view it is important to go into this knockout stage feeling 100 percent and I feel I am there.
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"If I'm honest with myself ... have I played the best that I know I can? No. But I didn't score in the group stage at the World Cup, I didn't score in the group stage at the Euros. So from my point of view, it's a bonus to be one goal ahead.
"But yeah, I'd always judge myself first and I know I can play better and I know a lot of players in the team think the same – that we can all play a little bit better. That's what I do. I don't panic. I don't get too high or too low. I'll keep doing what I do and just go onto the next one."
Where could England finish in Euro 2024 Group C?
Heading into matchday three, England's tally of four points from two games has Gareth Southgate's men sitting comfortably at the summit in Group C, above Denmark (two), Slovenia (two) and Serbia (one).
England will finish third at the very worst, which would require both Slovenia to beat them and Denmark to overcome Serbia on Tuesday evening, and even then their four-point tally would surely be enough to send them through to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams.
Should England draw with Slovenia and Denmark win, it would come down to goal difference or goals scored against the Scandinavians for the top two placements, but victory for the Three Lions will guarantee their first-placed finish.
Ben Knapton
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