UEFA Nations League

HARRY KANE is capable of knocking Wayne Rooney of the top of England’s goalscoring charts, according to Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions travel to Belgium this evening for Sunday’s Nations League clash, which will see Kane earn his 50th cap.

Few England internationals have been as efficient as Kane, with the striker netting at a rate of a goal every 1.5 games.
Such a strike rate makes the 27-year-old a top candidate to bag the 24 goals which will make him the nation’s all-time leading scorer.
The England boss told reporters: “In terms of what is possible, the goalscoring record is the really interesting one because his strike rate for us is phenomenal and he has time on his side to chase Wayne Rooney’s record, which would be a remarkable feat.
“I know from his perspective, while the personal achievement is something he is driven towards, it is the team achievement.

“He is so focused on the team having success and he would want to look back over the next few years at the team achieving.”
Southgate managed Kane in the Under-21s before his elevation to the England senior team.

Harry Kane is also launching up the Premier League scoring charts
And his maiden international strike past Lithuania in March 2015 ranks as Southgate’s favourite goal by the Tottenham star.
The former defender also highlighted a last-ditch equaliser against Scotland three years ago, in their last meeting before next summer’s Euros.

Southgate recalled: “Whenever one of your players get called up, you always want them to do well.
“I remember hearing he had scored [against Lithuania] and that was a brilliant moment for all of us because you want your boys to progress and do well.

Gareth Southgate is set to hand Harry Kane is 50th cap on SundayCredit: Reuters

“His goal at Hampden as well and of course his goals at the World Cup. To win the Golden Boot is an incredible personal achievement.
“It is a special moment for him.
“We have had three or four get to the 50-cap milestone in the last year and for all of them it is a fantastic achievement.”

Harry Kane smashes goals in during England training More

JUDE BELLINGHAM will stay with England’s senior squad for the next two games.
The Borussia Dortmund superkid became the third youngest Three Lions debutant in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Ireland.

Jude Bellingham made his England debut in the 3-0 win over IrelandCredit: PA:Press Association

Boss Gareth Southgate wants Bellingham, 17, in his squad for tomorrow’s Nations League clash in Belgium and Wednesday’s home game with Iceland.
This is despite the fact the teenager is unlikely to get any game time.
Bellingham, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham for £30million, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being away with the lads. I think I have learned so much.
“The manager has been great. All these superstars guiding me has been great.

“I’d have loved to have my family here but hopefully everyone enjoyed it back home.
“Now I look forward to making more memories.”
Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford will return in goal for England tomorrow — winning his 29th cap against Belgium.
The Everton man has been publicly criticised by Three Lions keeper coach Martyn Margetson.

Margetson, who used to work with Pickford at Everton, claimed the 26- year-old has a few basic weaknesses.
They include having his hands too low, while sometimes making the wrong decisions.
Yet Pickford has taken Margetson’s comments on the chin and has impressed Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate in training.

Jude Bellingham trains with England squad for the first time More

THE Football Association has launched a desperate public appeal to the government to let them face Iceland at Wembley – to help protect the safety of the England squad.
Urgent coronavirus travel restrictions placed on Demark last week mean the entire Icelandic squad is barred from entering the country for the match due to be played on November 18.

The FA are desperate for the match to go ahead at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association

FA bosses are looking at staging the Nations League match in Germany as a back-up, but maintain the Iceland squad should be granted special clearance to land in the UK to play the game as planned.
And this morning they went public with their appeal, in a series of tweets which claimed it is safer for the England players and staff to play the game at Wembley instead of having to fly to mainland Europe.
The FA said: “We have asked Government to consider allowing us to play our final UEFA Nations League match at Wembley Stadium, by giving travel exemption to the Icelandic team subject to strict medical protocols.
“The Icelandic team will have played Denmark in Copenhagen and therefore would be subject to a travel ban.

“While in Denmark they will have been under strict UEFA protocols in a sporting bubble and will be PCR tested before travelling to England. The PCR test picks up the Cluster 5 variant.
“We have agreed with the Icelandic team that they arrive on private charter to a private terminal and will only have access to their hotel and the stadium.
“We will also put in place additional testing over and above the multiple tests normally required for each participant and staff at the match.
“We are not asking for this support to help us have home advantage in this competitive international match, although of course that would be helpful.

Iceland will have played in Denmark, meaning they are banned from travelling to the UKCredit: AFP or licensors

“We are not asking for this support to avoid a huge cost from playing an England home match in Germany, although we can ill afford the financial penalty at this time.
“The priority must be health, which is why we are asking for this support.
“We believe it’s in the better interests of the England team and support staff to play at Wembley Stadium rather than have international travel at this time – and then play the match under the same UEFA protocols against the same opposition, but in a different country.
“We understand the optics of an exception at a time when industries such as hauliers are not allowed to travel to Denmark.

We believe an exception is justified and in the best interests of the England team
The FA

 “However, international footballers are amongst the most tested people on the planet and we will even conduct extra tests to go beyond the highest standard.
“We ask the Government to follow the advice of their public health experts as to whether the match is safe to host in the UK and we believe an exception is justified and in the best interests of the England team.
“We hope the Government can support us putting on the match in the safest way possible at this difficult time for everyone.”

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