**Harry Kane a Doubt for England’s Friendly Against Wales: Here’s Why**
*By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 08, 2025, 05:08 PM*
England captain Harry Kane is a major doubt for the upcoming friendly against Wales on Thursday due to an ankle injury. The Bayern Munich striker did not participate in training with Thomas Tuchel’s squad on Wednesday. Instead, he was seen following a personal indoor routine alongside Bayer Leverkusen center-back Jarell Quansah, according to reports.
### Kane’s Injury and Recent Form
Despite the injury, Kane has been in outstanding form for Bayern Munich this season. He scored his 18th goal in just 10 matches last Saturday as Bayern secured a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. However, Kane hobbled off the pitch with five minutes remaining in the match, raising concerns about his fitness.
The England captain later reassured fans that he “should be fine” and planned to join the England squad, but his participation in the Wales friendly remains uncertain.
### Team Adjustments: Who Can Replace Kane?
As England’s all-time leading scorer with 74 goals in 109 appearances, Kane’s potential absence leaves a significant gap in the team. Manager Thomas Tuchel now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for the upcoming match.
The likely candidates to step in include Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bowen, and Anthony Gordon—who has experience playing up front for Newcastle. Among these options, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is considered the most probable choice, given his role as an outright striker.
### England’s October Schedule and Squad Selection
It is worth noting that several star players, including Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, were not called up for the October internationals. Instead, Tuchel has decided to give opportunities to players who impressed during September’s fixtures.
A victory against Wales could be crucial for England, potentially securing their qualification for next summer’s tournament—provided Serbia does not win their matches against Albania and Andorra.
Stay tuned for updates on Harry Kane’s fitness and the final England squad selection ahead of the Wales friendly.
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