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England captain Harry Kane says the “hype and noise” surrounding his injury is similar to what happened when David Beckham and Wayne Rooney suffered from their problems before and during previous major tournaments.
Kane suffered a severe blow to the ankle in the opening 6-2 win over Iran and was substituted after 76 minutes.
That Tottenham striker underwent preventive medical check-up but then the whole thing was tedious 0-0 against the USA.
“Whether I’m fully fit or injured or not, someone else can come in – in any position,” Kane told ` Sport.
“The team isn’t just me. We have 26 players here who all want the same thing: to win a World Cup.”
In 2002 England’s preparation for the World Cup was overshadowed by headlines and bulletins about Captain Beckham’s infamous metatarsal injury.
Just 54 days before the start of the tournament in Japan and South Korea, the Champions League midfielder broke a bone in his left foot for Manchester United.
But Beckham made a remarkable recovery after being treated in an oxygen tent and led his side to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten 2-1 by eventual winners Brazil.
Two years later, an 18-year-old Rooney burst onto the international stage and was England’s star player at Euro 2004, scoring four goals in a run in the last eight.
But like Beckham, he suffered a fractured metatarsal in the quarter-finals against Portugal and England eventually lost the game (6-5) on penalties.
“I was an England fan before I was an England player. I know [about] when Rooney was injured when Beckham had the injury, so I know the hype and noise that can come,” added Kane.
“I know and understand why it’s happening, but from our point of view we’re fully focused on ourselves to go far in the tournament.”
England Top Group B and will finish in the last 16 in Qatar if they avoid a four-goal defeat Wales in their final group game on Tuesday (kick-off at 19:00 GMT).
Kane said: “I feel good. I know there was a lot of noise. I could easily have played the full 90 minutes in the Iran game, but the manager changed it for tactical reasons.”
“I had a precautionary scan – which is standard practice in our sport – and it came back pretty much all clear. good to go
“Physically I feel good and will be ready for the game.”
“This tournament suits us”
The World Cup in Qatar was moved to a winter slot for the first time due to the extreme temperatures that can be reached in the country in summer.
This has resulted in leagues around the world being paused mid-season to accommodate the tournament, with the Premier League halting just seven days before the opening game.
Just 11 days before the start, Spurs manager Antonio Conte said Kane was “really, really tired” after being substituted in the second half of the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Kane added, “I don’t think there will be another major tournament where the players will be at this peak in terms of fitness.
“At this tournament, match fitness was easier than at a summer tournament where you have four or five weeks off and need to get back up to match speed.
“This tournament suits a lot of us because we’re used to playing every three days at this stage of the season.”
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