FIFA World Cup 2022: England manager Gareth Southgate declares Harry Kane fit for USA game

England manager Gareth Southgate has declared Harry Kane fit for the next match against the USA on Thursday, saying that the striker is all good for the game.

Kane took a blow to the ankle just before the halftime mark during England's 6-2 win over Iran on Monday and was taken off in the second half. The forward had assisted Raheem Sterling during the match.

The England skipper underwent scans on Wednesday and now Southgate, as quoted by Reuters, declared the striker for England's second game in the World Cup.

"He's good. He's worked a little bit more individually today, but he'll be back in with the team tomorrow and all good for the game," Southgate told ITV in an interview.

"We just checked him out just to see. I think, sometimes, when you're treating things, it's important to know exactly what is there and that was all



good.

"It's not so much the ankle, it's more the foot. It was a poor challenge, really, but I think it's one that, fortunately, we've got away with reasonably lightly."

Kane has scored 51 goals to his name and needs just two to tie Wayne Rooney as England's all-time top-scorer. His absence would have been a major blow to the Three Lions. Southgate admitted that he was a bit worried when he saw Kane going down on the pitch. He said that once he saw Kane carry on, the pressure was relieved.

"I was (holding my breath) when he went down on the pitch, but once he'd carried on playing, everything has been good," said Southgate.

England has a big chance of qualifying to the next round with a game to spare if they can go past the USA on Friday.

The USA was held to a 1-1 draw by Wales in their first game of the World Cup.