Why Harry Kane is not playing for England tonight in shock blow for Japan clash | OneFootball

Three Lions without influential captain again for pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley

England have been hit with an injury blow ahead of kick-off against Japan with Harry Kane not involved.

A Football Association (FA) statement, released around an hour-and-a-half before kick-off, confirmed: “Harry Kane is rested tonight as a precaution having picked up a minor issue in training, but remains with the squad receiving further assessment.

“Jordan Henderson returned to Brentford ahead of this evening's fixture.”

Speaking to ITV Sport pre-match, Tuchel added of Kane: “Minor injury from basically out of nothing, it just happened. He had to step out of training yesterday after 15 minutes, no chance to be involved, not even today.

“He will be in the stadium to watch. It is serious enough to not be able to play. We have to wait for further assessment.”

Kane has been in phenomenal form so far this season, scoring 48 goals in 40 appearances for club side Bayern Munich.

He is set to play a major role in England’s pursuit of World Cup glory in North America this summer, so the decision not to risk him in a Wembley friendly just two months before Tuchel names his final 26-man squad for the tournament is understandable.

Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden all start in attacking positions for the Three Lions against Japan, with Foden expected to deputise as the nominal striker in Kane’s absence.

Returning defender Marc Guehi captains England for the first time with Kane out, becoming the 129th player in history to do so.