The weight of a nation rests on Harry Kane’s shoulders.
For England to enjoy any success at the World Cup, it will require Kane to be on his game as he leads from the front for the three Group G matches against Tunisia, Panama and Belgium.
Gareth Southgate will need to keep Kane fit as the Spurs centre-forward is being touted as the one world class player in the England ranks.
Should Kane pick up an injury at any stage then supporters will be significantly less optimistic of any chance of progressing deep into the knockout stages.
England legend Alan Shearer speaks for plenty of fans when he claims that Southgate simply doesn’t have enough quality strikers to replace Kane if fitness becomes a problem for the 24-year-old.
While Jamie Vardy represents a solid option, he’s not at Kane’s level and would require a different strategy from the players around him because the Leicester forward is best used when showing off his blistering speed by bursting into space.
“What does concern me is whether we have enough in reserve if Harry gets injured,” Shearer writes in his Sun column.
“We don’t have another forward in his mould. Jamie Vardy is our best option and we’d have to utilise his pace and play to his strengths.
“The Leicester man is a good option to throw on if we need to change a game but not as a starter.
“He’s a good player, a good centre-forward but you wouldn’t describe him as a great centre-forward.
“In my time we had so much more competition for the striker’s spot.
“There was Gary Lineker in my early days, Ian Wright, Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham and Michael Owen to name a few. Kane wouldn’t look out of place on that list.”
