Harry Kane has revealed Declan Rice is still “struggling” with injury, having personally been contacted by the Arsenal midfielder to explain why he withdrew from the England squad. The England captain also confirmed he has not been in touch with Cole Palmer, one of five players to pull out of the squad.
Rice was among five players to drop out of the England squad on Monday ahead of Nations League games against Spain, Czechia and Croatia. The Arsenal midfielder has had to manage a number of niggling injuries in the past year, including what he described during the World Cup as “neural pain”.
Kane backs Rice decision
Speaking to reporters at St. George’s Park on Wednesday, Kane said: “I've spoken about this before and I don't want to make it a big thing. I know the guys, I've spoken to the coach and the player, and they've decided.
“Look, everyone has their own situation. I know how tough the summer was and I know especially in the Premier League how gruelling that schedule is. I'm in a different situation now where I have the winter break and I have moments to recharge and refresh. Some of the players don't get that.
“I spoke to Dec, and I know Dec goes far and beyond for the club and country, so I know how much he gives and I know he's been struggling for a while with his issues. So someone like Dec has to get himself sorted and get himself fresh, and he has big games for club, big games for country, coming up.”
Palmer absent
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was one of the five to drop out ahead of the quadruple-header, due to “load management”. Asked whether he had spoken to Palmer, who was not called up to the World Cup and has only played seven times since May, Kane said: “I've not spoken to Cole, no.”
When asked whether there was any reason for that, he replied: “No, no, no, Dec just reached out to me just personally. He just sent me a message, just voice-noted me. They don't have to talk to me. I know they spoke to the coach, so, yeah, that's down to the players.
“We spend so much time at club level and club football together and building on the pitch, off the pitch. You don't get that luxury with international football.”
