Harry Kane SLAMS England drop-outs for ‘taking advantage of a tough period of the season’ – as Three Lions captain insists the national side should ‘come before anything’

Harry Kane has accused England’s drop-outs of taking advantage amid concerns players are putting club before country.

In a week where England’s plans for Thursday night’s Nations League clash versus Greece has been decimated due to a glut of withdrawals, the captain – whose own inclusion here in Athens is in doubt due to a niggle – has issued an astonishing riposte to the colleagues who have withdrawn from international duty this week by insisting playing for your country is more important than club football.

The Bayern Munich striker, when asked what one aspect of previous boss Gareth Southgate’s reign senior players must ensure isn’t lost, Kane answered: ‘I think the joy to play for England. I think he brought that back.

‘Every camp, people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England and that’s the most important thing.

‘I think England comes before anything. It comes before club and it is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer.

England’s plans for their Nations League clash versus Greece have been decimated due to a glut of withdrawals

‘Gareth was hot on that and he wasn’t and he wasn’t afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players.’

Asked if he felt that culture may have softened this week in light of the glut of pull-outs, Kane told ITV: ‘It’s a shame this week obviously.

‘I think it’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit.

‘I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think as I just said there England comes before before anything, any club situation.’

Asked about Kane’s comments, interim head coach Lee Carsley, who could hand Curtis Jones a debut on Thursday night, said: ‘It’s his opinion. November is historically a challenging window, that stage of the season where fatigue plays a part.’

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon reported for duty with a knock, and when asked whether he had to tell Newcastle he wanted to join up with England, he responded: ‘I didn’t have to say, they know how I feel about playing for England.

‘I reported to see if I was fit to play, once I was passed fit I was always going to play for England.’

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jarrad Branthwaite and Aaron Ramsdale have all dropped out of the squad.

Nevertheless, Carsley believes playing for England remains a special achievement.

Stars such as Kane (left) and Cole Palmer (right) were also seen arriving on Monday

Trent Alexander-Arnold withdrew from the squad after getting injured against Aston Villa

Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka (left) and Declan Rice (right) have also withdrawn from the squad

‘One-hundred per cent (there is still value in England caps) and we have to make sure we keep that value,’ said Carsley, who insists he does not feel disrespected by the pull-outs.

‘It’s such an achievement first and foremost to get in to the squad and then to get on to the pitch or start a game should be seen as a real privilege and an honour.

‘I think that’s the case. The game will take care of itself and we look forward to them hopefully getting through the game with no injuries.

‘We will then look forward to the next game. From the outside it probably feels as though there have been a lot of pull-outs but our focus has been on the ones who are here and are in the building.

‘The ones that we have called in. There is a real excitement and buzz around the squad and I don’t get the feeling it’s been diluted too much. The ones that have been called up more than deserve to be here.’

England’s possible XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis; Jones, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Watkins