Harry Kane's hot streak and other talking points as England take on Slovakia at Wembley

Sport360 staff 12:45 04/09/2017
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  • Harry Kane.

    England welcome Slovakia to Wembley on Monday in a top-of-the-table clash in Group F of World Cup qualifying.

    Here, Press Association Sport looks at five key issues.

    ALL EYES ON THE WEMBLEY WELCOME

    The relationship between England and their fans is under the microscope, with boos from the travelling contingent after a goalless first half in Malta and plenty of criticism on social media before three late goals brought a 4-0 victory.

    Harry Kane has led the calls for patience from supporters and it will be interesting to see how they are welcomed back to headquarters.

    Things tend not to get too heated at Wembley, which attracts a family-friendly crowd, but there was frustration in the counterpart fixture against Malta, with Wayne Rooney jeered on what turned out to be his penultimate cap.

    It will be interesting to not what sort of reception the team gets at Wembley.

    It will be interesting to not what sort of reception the team gets at Wembley.

    SOUTHGATE’S SELECTION

    At least one alteration to the team is expected, with Eric Dier back from suspension and likely to take over from Jake Livermore in midfield.

    Things are less obvious in the attacking areas, with Raheem Sterling taken off at half-time on Friday and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain turning in a blunt performance on the opposite flank.

    Marcus Rashford was lively as Sterling’s replacement and the tactically disciplined Danny Welbeck grabbed a goal on his first appearance under Southgate. Both must be tempting options to freshen up the starting XI.

    All eyes will be on Gareth Southgate's squad selection.

    All eyes will be on Gareth Southgate’s squad selection.

    HARRY’S HOT STREAK

    Injury kept Kane out of Southgate’s first six matches at the helm but the Tottenham man has quickly made up for lost time, netting five times in three outings against Scotland, France and Malta.

    That has doubled his Three Lions goals tally and taken him past another north London poacher, Ian Wright, and level with his Spurs predecessor Paul Gascoigne. One more against Slovakia would see him join another Tottenham favourite, Teddy Sheringham, on 11.

    Harry Kane has scored five times in the last three games.

    Harry Kane has scored five times in the last three games.

    MAKE OR BREAK TIME

    England began the campaign by beating Slovakia in injury-time of Sam Allardyce’s only game in the dugout. On paper that was the toughest assignment in the group but Jan Kozak’s side have kept up the hunt, winning their last five games to sit two points off top spot.

    A shock away win would hand them the keys to automatic qualification and throw Southgate’s plans into disarray. On the other hand, success for England would leave them all but certain of their place in Russia and free to proceed with logistical planning.

    HART HAS TO PERFORM

    Joe Hart will be under pressure to perform between the sticks.

    Joe Hart will be under pressure to perform between the sticks.

    Southgate resisted the temptation to stand Joe Hart down in Malta after his difficult start to life at West Ham, denying Jack Butland the chance to stake his claim for the number one shirt.

    As expected, Hart had almost nothing to do at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium so retains his place again.

    But this should be a challenge of a different order and the 30-year-old will expect to be busier against a confident Slovakia side. How he reacts could be important, not just for England’s prospects but Hart’s own long-term grip on the gloves.

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