England captain Harry Kane is due to undergo an ankle scan ahead of the 2022 World Cup game against the United States.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker was substituted in the second half of the Three Lions’ 6-2 game against Iran, with Callum Wilson taking his place for the final 12 minutes of regulation time. However, Kane was injured much earlier – and has a history of ankle injuries throughout his career.
Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji slammed into Kane in the 48th minute of the game, with the No.9 needing treatment early in the second half. Kane managed to struggle for another half hour before being substituted. In the photos captured by Athleticism journalist David Ornstein, Harry Kane was then seen limping into the media area.
Kane also had a strapping on his right ankle: the same ankle he held on after the Pouraliganji challenge. He did not mention the injury during his speech to his social media followers (opens in a new tab)although Ornstein suggested the England talisman ‘seems to have escaped serious injury’.
The scan may just be a precaution.
Kane will only have four days to rest and recover his ankle in time for the second group game of the tournament. The 2018 Golden Boot winner is yet to score to enter the charts for 2022, but managed to register two assists in the beating.
If he fails to be fully fit in time, England’s final group stage game will be against Wales next Tuesday in what could be a truly decisive game.
