Harry Kane to Miss England vs. Spain, Return to Tottenham

Harry Kane has been sent home from the England squad ahead of the upcoming match against Spain on Tuesday. Three Lions interim manager Gareth Southgate told FATV (h/t Jim Lucas of the FA's official website) that Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane has been sent back to his club. 

Kane only recently returned from a lengthy ankle injury and is not deemed match-fit yet.

Southgate referenced how long Kane has been out as an obvious factor in the decision, per Lucas: "Harry reported for us last week. but, obviously, he hadn't played a full game for some seven weeks."

There had been questions about whether Kane would join up with the national team at all. However, once Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino deemed him fit enough to start the recent north London derby against Arsenal, Kane became eligible for England duty.

Kane played and scored Tottenham's goal in the 1-1 draw against local rivals the Gunners when he netted from the spot. Yet Kane didn't last the full 90 minutes.

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Before that game, Pochettino had indicated he thought it would be wiser for England to leave Kane at home, per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph: “It’s true that maybe it makes more sense for the national team to say ‘Okay, stay at home. Stay with Tottenham and train for two weeks.' It’s important to build Harry’s fitness and be better after."

For his part, Southgate has revealed Spurs were happy for Kane to join up with his international team-mates: "Tottenham were more than happy for him to come with us. It was never really my intention to start him in a game, and I think it's important that he gets a different training program to what we're going to follow over the next couple of days."

So Southgate ultimately appears to have deferred to Pochettino's original judgement. It's great news for Tottenham who sit fifth in the Premier League standings, and five points off the pace, despite being the division's only unbeaten team.

Spurs are still heavily reliant on Kane's goals. His fitness remains the key to them staying in the title race.

As for England, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney ensure Southgate's men retain enough firepower up top even without Kane.