World Cup: Harry Kane returns to full training for England

Harry Kane returns to full training after ankle injury scare as England prepare for their second World Cup game against the United States… but James Maddison remains out of action

  • Harry Kane trained with the rest of the England squad ahead of USA fixture
  • Three Lions play their second World Cup group stage match on Friday night
  • Kane suffered an ankle knock during Monday’s 6-2 thrashing of Iran
  • England skipper trained individually on Wednesday but then rejoined group 
  • James Maddison was the only member of the 26 not to train on Thursday 
  • Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results

The nation breathed a sigh of relief as Harry Kane returned to full training on Thursday – but James Maddison was still absent ahead of England‘s second World Cup game against the United States.

Kane suffered an ankle knock during the 6-2 thrashing of Iran that opened England’s tournament but the scans came back all-clear and he will be fit to play.

The Three Lions captain trained individually on Wednesday but was passed fit to rejoin the group at Al Wakrah on Thursday. 

Harry Kane has returned to full training with England on Thursday ahead of their second World Cup group game against the United States on Friday night

Harry Kane returned to full training on Thursday in a huge boost to England boss Southgate

Kane returned to full training on Thursday meaning James Maddison was the only absentee

Kane thankfully didn't show any hint of ankle trouble as he trained at England's Al Wakrah base

Kane thankfully didn’t show any hint of ankle trouble as he trained at England’s Al Wakrah base

England manager Gareth Southgate speaks with Kane in the gym on Wednesday

England manager Gareth Southgate speaks with Kane in the gym on Wednesday

Kane suffered a knock to his right ankle after a clumsy challenge by Morteza Pouraliganji in England’s 6-2 win against Iran on Monday – the national team’s biggest ever win at the start of a major tournament.

The Spurs striker, who has a history of ankle problems, did play on for 25 minutes but was seen limping after the game and went for a precautionary scan.

But after he completed a lighter training session on Wednesday, England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed Kane would be fit to face the United States.

Kane went down clutching his ankle following a clumsy challenge in the opener with Iran

Kane went down clutching his ankle following a clumsy challenge in the opener with Iran 

Iran's Morteza Pouraliganji caught the England captain on the ankle in Monday's game

Iran’s Morteza Pouraliganji caught the England captain on the ankle in Monday’s game

The captain hobbled out of Khalifa Stadium following England's victory against Iran

The captain hobbled out of Khalifa Stadium following England’s victory against Iran

‘He is good, he has worked a little bit more individually on Wednesday but he will back in with the team on Thursday and good for the game,’ Southgate said on ITV.

‘We just checked him out, just to see. I think sometimes when you are treating things it is important to know exactly what is there and that was all good.

‘It is not so much the ankle. It is more the foot. It was a poor challenge really but I think it is one that fortunately we have got away with reasonably lightly.’ 

Leicester City winger Maddison missed the opener against Iran with a knee complaint and went through his fitness work indoors as the rest of the England squad trained in the Doha heat.

Defender Harry Maguire was able to train after recovering from the illness that forced him off in the Iran game.  

Harry Maguire and Kieran Trippier stand pitchside ahead of England training on Thursday

Harry Maguire and Kieran Trippier stand pitchside ahead of England training on Thursday

Marcus Rashford smiles as he takes part in England's training session on Thursday

Marcus Rashford smiles as he takes part in England’s training session on Thursday

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford trains on Thursday as England prepare to face the United States

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford trains on Thursday as England prepare to face the United States 

England's goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale (left), Jordan Pickford (middle) and Nick Pope

England’s goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale (left), Jordan Pickford (middle) and Nick Pope 

Kyle Walker also trained and will be hoping to get his first minutes since undergoing groin surgery in October.

‘I’m fit,’ the right-back said. ‘I’ve been training now for two weeks and I feel sharp.

‘Can you replicate what you do on a match day? Of course I can’t. Me and the physio, me and the fitness coach cannot have an 11 v 11 against each other.

‘We can do as much as we can do before I have to go into training and kick a ball with the lads, so I feel good.’