MX23RW : Friday, January 24 23:18:18| >> :600:967094:967094:

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?

body check tags ::
Share this article now:
New Instagram promo
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
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23221054153967
2Manchester CityMan City24163565273851
3Leicester CityLeicester24153652242848
4Chelsea2412484132940
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd249783629734
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs249783832634
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2481063532334
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd248972523233
9Southampton2494113142-1131
10Arsenal2461263234-230
11Crystal Palace247982228-630
12Everton2486102835-730
13Burnley2493122838-1030
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2486102436-1230
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2467112734-725
16Aston Villa2474133145-1425
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham2365122738-1123
18Bournemouth2465132337-1423
19Watford2458112136-1523
20Norwich CityNorwich2445152447-2317

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!