Gareth Southgate says Ivan Toney will be involved in England’s second pre-Euros friendly against Iceland on Friday, but has admitted he has to prioritise Harry Kane’s fitness over giving opportunities to the Brentford striker.
Kane finished the season with a niggling back problem for Bayern Munich but played the final half-hour – and scored – as England began their preparations for the European Championship with a 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night.
Ollie Watkins started up-front at St. James’ Park, suggesting the Villa forward is leading the race to be Kane’s understudy in Germany, and Southgate has said Kane will return to the lineup against Iceland at Wembley, leaving Toney as a likely substitute again.
“Toney will be involved in the game on Friday but I have got to get Harry Kane right,” the England manager said.
“So sometimes the priorities of what’s required and what you would like to see as well, you can’t achieve all of those objectives. Simple as that.”
Kane scored England’s third goal – his 63rd for his country – after Cole Palmer’s penalty and a fine finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and Phil Foden and Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo will join up with the squad when they travel to London on Tuesday, with Jude Bellingham expected to be the final player to report after helping Real Madrid to win the Champions League Final on Saturday.
Southgate is expected to play a stronger XI against Iceland and says he wants to build on Monday’s performance.
“We have another three players who report Tuesday when we get down to London,” he said.
“We didn’t think there’s any point in them reporting earlier and then being able to do very little and travelling again. We gave them an extra day.
“They’ll all come into the reckoning for the game on Friday.
“Similar objectives really, we want to build on the performance, physically it’s an important game for players.
“Even for players who have played a lot of football they still need rhythm of playing matches.. Friday becomes an important exercise for us.”