Carsley dismisses club vs. country rift after Kane’s disappointment (0:46)
Lee Carsley speaks about the injury dropouts from England’s squad for the Nations League. (0:46)
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ESPN
Nov 14, 2024, 01:38 PM ET
England captain Harry Kane has been left on the bench for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash against Greece, with Ollie Watkins taking his place in the starting lineup.
England interim manager Lee Carsley said he was eager to give Watkins a chance to start in a high-pressure encounter.
“It was important to give Ollie Watkins an opportunity. To experience a night like this will be great for himself. This team needs to try and create leaders and one way to do that is give them opportunities,” Carsley told ITV Sport.
“He is fine,” Carsley said of Kane’s response to the decision. “He wants to play but his attitude has been fantastic. I think it is important to give players a chance and I am sure Ollie will do really well tonight.”
Kyle Walker will wear the captain’s armband to Kyle Walker while Liverpool Curtis Jones has been handed his England debut.
On Tuesday, Kane offered a sharp rebuke of his England teammates after nine of them pulled out of the squad through injuries.
“I think every camp people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England and that’s the most important thing,” he said.
“I think England comes before anything. England comes before club.”
