Tottenham boss Antonio Conte’s shock admission will be a major concern for Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate just hours before he names his 26-man squad. 4 Antonio Conte admitted Harry Kane was “really, really, tired” after Tottenham’s defeat by Nottingham ForestCredit: Reuters 4 Kane was withdrawn in the 59th minute as he was unable to prevent Spurs falling to a third-round defeatCredit: Reuters And he will be further worried by the news that Kane struggled in even a light training session the day before. The striker was bedridden after just 59 minutes as Tottenham lost 2-0 to ten-man Nottingham Forest – one of five London Prem sides who played in yesterday’s Carabao Cup. Asked why he dropped the 29-year-old, Conte confessed: “It was a problem of fatigue. “Really, really tired and yesterday we had a mild training session and at one point he stopped to recover energy. “It was difficult for Kane today. “When you have a player like him, it’s hard to decide not to play with him. “It’s just tiredness, but it’s normal because Harry has played every game.” Kane has played 22 games already this season and an impressive 12 since October 1. PLAY OUR DREAM FANTASY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP TEAM TO WIN A SHARE OF £50,000 Conte added: “Other players maybe could tell me that I’m tired and I don’t want to play and help the team. “I have a group of players who are men before players and that’s why someone else could be selfish and think to themselves why in a week they have to play the World Cup. “On the contrary, Kane has shown that he is a very good person and the same goes for Hoiberg, Bedancourt, Perisic and Dyer who have also played a lot of games.” Fans reacted with shock when team news revealed the England talisman was starting against Forest in a match usually used by top teams to blood the youngsters. And his surprise didn’t stop Spurs from joining Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace on a night of penalty kicks. Leaving League One Charlton as the only London club left. Southgate will name his squad at 2pm today with Chelsea right-back Rhys James already receiving the devastating news that he will not be selected. The Three Lions gaffer faces tough decisions on fellow injured stars Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips. Meanwhile, England’s Group B rivals Wales were one of the teams to announce their line-up last night – with boss Rob Page admitting star man Gareth Bale may not feature in every game. 4 The England captain struggled in a light pre-match training sessionCredit: Alamy 4 Gareth Southgate will be sweating on his fitness with the World Cup just 10 days awayCredit: Getty
