England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, confirmed that star striker Harry Kane will not start Thursday’s Nations League match against Greece due to a minor injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich over the weekend. Kane, who has been training separately, may still feature in Sunday’s match against Finland, but Carsley emphasized that England will not rush his return.
“Harry’s nursing a small knock, and we’re not taking any risks,” Carsley told reporters. “We’re hopeful he’ll be ready for Sunday, but we’ll see how things progress.”
With Kane sidelined, Manchester City defender John Stones has been named captain for the first time. Carsley expressed confidence in Stones’ leadership, highlighting his experience and professionalism as key qualities.
Stones, visibly moved by the honor, said, “This is a dream come true for me and my family. Walking out as England captain is something really special, and I’m grateful to Lee for the opportunity.”
Carsley also noted that Jack Grealish picked up a slight injury in training and will be assessed closer to the match. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who has been in excellent form with six goals in seven league games, is a strong contender for a starting spot, although competition remains fierce among England’s attacking players.
Carsley remains focused on finding the right balance in the squad, stating, “We’ve got a lot of options up front, and it’s important we deliver an attacking performance tomorrow.”
