Mourinho does NOT want Harry Kane to play 3 games in 7 days for England


Jose Mourinho does not want Harry Kane to play three World Cup qualifiers in seven days starting next week and hopes the England captain can strike a compromise with Gareth Southgate.

Kane, who has been playing through niggling injuries, will be involved for Tottenham at Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday and at Aston Villa on Sunday before reporting for international duty on Monday.

England have home games against San Marino and Poland either side of a trip to Albania to launch their qualifying campaign.

'I have no control,' said Mourinho. 'If I could choose, I would love them all to go because I love my players to be involved in the national teams. It's a question of pride for them and a plus for the club.

'Of course if we could choose we wouldn't like the players to play three matches, but it's in the hands of the international managers.

'I cannot do Gareth's work. He doesn't make comments about my selection or give opinion about should I play or rest this England player or the other.

'He never makes any comment so I don't feel very comfortable doing that in this moment. He does what he wants, what he thinks is best for the team. I believe he has a good relationship with Harry, good communication.

'I hope that between them and without me in the middle they can find some compromise to protect the players a little bit.'

Kane missed 10 days after picking up ankle injuries against Liverpool in January. He was a doubt going into the game against Crystal Palace, earlier this month, and was seen icing a knee after he was replaced in the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie against Dinamo, last week.

Tottenham won 2-0 in Europe and Mourinho has confirmed his top scorer will be involved in the second leg.

'He plays tomorrow,' said the Spurs boss. 'It is open and it is a very important game. I don't feel it's game over. We don't go there to defend a lead, we go there to win a game. If we qualify with a defeat in this game, I will not be happy.'

Giovani Lo Celso is back in the squad after nearly three months out with a hamstring injury.

Son Heung-min is out of the trip to Croatia after suffering a hamstring injury against Arsenal on Sunday.

Son's injury is not thought to be too bad but it could prevent him from joining South Korea for a friendly against Japan next week.

'If a player is injured and cannot play, a friendly or an official game, it doesn't matter the match it is,' said Mourinho.

'So if we arrived next week and Sonny is injured and we can prove that to the South Korean Football Association, what's he going to do there? Nothing. So if a player cannot play for the club, he cannot play for the country.'

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