England boss Gareth Southgate may REST Harry Kane against Belgium
GARETH SOUTHGATE wants Harry Kane to put England before personal glory.
Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk
World Cup 2018: Harry Kane has cored five goals so far for England
Captain Kane has been a revelation so far at the World Cup and is eyeing up the Golden Boot after scoring five goals in the opening two games.
He has made it clear he is desperate to face Belgium in Thursday's final group game in Kaliningrad.
But boss Southgate is considering upsetting his star man by resting him for the showdown with Roberto Martinez's side in Kaliningrad, which will decide top spot in Group G.
"Obviously it will be very important for Harry," said Southgate.
"I always have to balance what's right for the squad as well.
"He's gone ahead of some major, major names in English football history in terms of World Cup goals.
"That should make him incredibly proud, but he also knows the team is the most important thing and we have to make decisions that are right for the team."
Kane's hat-trick against Panama on Sunday took him level in second place on England's all-time World Cup scoring list along with the legendary Sir Geoff Hurst, still goals behind Gary Lineker.
World Cup 2018: Harry Kane is the leading scorer so far in the tournament
But with England already safely through to he knockout stages with a game to spare Southgate is expected to ring the changes.
England have two players - Kyle Walker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek - on yellow cards and another caution would rule them out of their last-16 game against either Senegal, Japan or Colombia.
Southgate allowed his stars to let their hair down when they returned to the team hotel in Repino following their record breaking 6-1 hammering of Panama.
The squad enjoyed a few beers as reward for reaching the knockout stages for the first time since 2006.
Dele Alli was part of a small group of the squad to train yesterday as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury, which ruled him out of the Panama game.
Sunday substitutes Jamie Vardy, Fabian Delph and Danny Rose also trained, although none of those who started England's biggest ever tournament win took part.
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