England find a new way to play... without their captain

Once again, Harry Kane is the first name on the England football team teamsheet.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Lee Carsley was still in Athens when he confirmed the captain would start against Ireland tomorrow.

For eight years, Gareth Southgate rarely needed to offer that information three days early, to try and deflect charges Kane had fallen out of favour. If he was fit, he played.

Now? Kane was fit and began on the bench against Greece. Others were fit, the striker had implied, and did not turn up. Kane appeared to be the last man standing up for the values of the Southgate era, when players enjoyed turning up for international duty. Carsley refused to criticise the no-shows, was happy to finish with a glorified Under-21 side and beat Greece 30. Kane had a bit-part role.

He had been outspoken before the game, Carsley more cautious. The interim manager showed a bolder streak in his choices. Yet his post-match rhetoric invited a question: when is a dropping not a dropping?

“I definitely didn’t drop Harry Kane,” he insisted. “He’s done well for me every game he’s played and been involved with. It wasn’t a case of being dropped, far from it, it was just a case of giving someone an opportunity.”

For many another, omitting a fit, normally first-choice player from a competitive game qualifies as dropping him. Carsley claimed not. He was justified in opting for Ollie Watkins when Kane’s usual understudy got the seventh-minute opener. Carsley did not really crow. “Ollie is playing in the Champions League with Villa, he’s doing really well, the same with Morgan Rogers,” he said. “It’s great that he got a goal. It looks like a great decision then, doesn’t it?”