England vs Brazil, Belgium: Kane, Saka four players to miss training
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are among four players who missed England training on Wednesday.
Gareth Southgate has selected a 26-player squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.
The fixtures represent the final chance for players to impress ahead of the Three Lions squad being named for Euro 2024.
As it stands, though, Kane appears to remain as a considerable doubt to lead England into the blockbuster clash with the five-time world champions at Wembley this weekend.
Kane sustained an ankle injury during the closing stages of Bayern Munich’s 5-2 victory over Darmstadt on Saturday and was forced to be withdrawn.
The 30-year-old will want to do everything possible to feature in the showcase occasion, yet his participation – particularly from the start – is uncertain.
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Meanwhile, Saka is one of three players the others being Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer to be restricted to their own individual programmes.
Saka’s inclusion on that list is notable courtesy of Arsenal having not played for over a week when they defeated Porto in a penalty shootout in the Champions League last 16.
Extra time was completed with Saka seemingly not sustaining any issues, the 22-year-old also stepping up to convert from the spot after 120 minutes of action.
In the case of Henderson and Palmer, they each represented their respective clubs – Ajax and Chelsea – in fixtures on Sunday afternoon.
Henderson was withdrawn on the 65-minute mark – and immediately after providing an assist – as Ajax struggled to a 2-2 draw at Sparta Rotterdam.
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Palmer came through the 90 minutes against Leicester City seemingly unscathed, there being no immediate concern as he conducted media duties after the game courtesy of being handed the Man-Of-The-Match award.
A day after his late call-up to the squad, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo featured alongside his new teammates, the selection potentially a result of uncertainty over Henderson’s involvement with fellow regular Kalvin Phillips having already been left out.