Jose Mourinho confirms Harry Kane will play in Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb… but Spurs boss does NOT want star to play three games in seven days for England and hopes star can reach a compromise with Gareth Southgate
- Jose Mourinho has confirmed Harry Kane will play against Zagreb on Thursday
- Spurs hold a two-goal lead over their Europa League rivals ahead of their clash
- However, Mourinho does not want his star to play all three games for England
- The Three Lions face San Marino, Poland and Albania in World Cup qualifiers
Jose Mourinho does not want Harry Kane to play three World Cup qualifiers in seven days and hopes England’s captain can strike a compromise with Gareth Southgate to protect his fitness.
Kane will be named in Southgate’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, with the England boss making a late fitness check on Patrick Bamford as he considers handing the Leeds striker his first call-up.
Kane, who is playing through niggling injuries, is expected to start for Tottenham at Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday night and report for international duty after Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa.
Jose Mourinho does not want Harry Kane to play three games in seven days for England
The Spurs star is expected to be called up for games against San Marino, Albania and Poland
England have home games against San Marino and Poland — who are set to be without striker Robert Lewandowski owing to the same strict Covid quarantine rules that could prevent Southgate picking Jude Bellingham — either side of a trip to Albania.
‘If we could choose, we would not like the players to play three matches, but it’s in the hands of the international managers,’ said Mourinho, who will be without injured forward Son Heung-min on Thursday night.
‘I cannot do Gareth’s work. I believe he has a good relationship with Harry.
‘I hope that between them, and without me in the middle, they can find some compromise to protect the players a little bit.’ Kane missed 10 days with ankle problems in January.
But Mourinho says he does not want his star man to feature in all three games next week
Meanwhile, West Bromwich goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is hoping to be given his first international call-up to replace Everton’s Jordan Pickford, who is injured, while 2018 World Cup stars John Stones and Jesse Lingard are pushing for recalls.
Left back Luke Shaw is set for his first England call-up for two and a half years.
Southgate is expected to select Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, despite the 19-year-old sustaining an injury against Spurs on Sunday.
Mourinho said he has ‘no control’ over Gareth Southgate’s team selection for the games
