England manager Gareth Southgate has been dealt a crushing blow just days before naming his European Championship squad, with captain Harry Kane forced off with a back injury during Bayern Munich's dramatic Champions League semi-final.
The Three Lions' record goalscorer was substituted in the 85th minute of Bayern's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, appearing visibly uncomfortable as he left the pitch at the Allianz Arena.
Timing Couldn't Be Worse for Southgate
With Southgate set to announce his provisional Euro 2024 squad on Tuesday, the injury to England's talismanic striker represents a nightmare scenario. Kane has been in phenomenal form this season, netting 44 goals across all competitions for the German giants.
"He couldn't continue," confirmed Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel. "He's having problems with his back. It's been getting worse and it's gotten worse and it's painful."
England's Striking Dilemma
Should Kane be unavailable, Southgate faces a significant selection headache. While alternatives like Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins have impressed this season, neither can match Kane's experience or goal-scoring pedigree at international level.
The injury comes at a particularly cruel moment for the 30-year-old, who was chasing a Champions League final berth and now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for this summer's tournament in Germany.
What This Means for England's Euro Hopes
- England's all-time top scorer potentially missing major tournament
- Southgate must consider alternative striking options
- Fitness assessment expected in coming days
- Provisional squad announcement looming on May 21st
All eyes will now be on Bayern Munich's medical team as they assess the severity of Kane's back problem, with England fans desperately hoping their captain can recover in time to lead the charge for Euro glory.
