Ahead of England’s opening game in the qualifiers for Euro 2024 against Italy at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Italy, England manager Gareth Southgate has stated that he hopes the possibility of breaking England’s goal-scoring record will help Harry Kane become productive in the fixture on Thursday.

Euro 2020 finalists England will play their first qualification for Germany 2024 in Naples against the defending champions. Harry Kane is level with Wayne Rooney as England’s record goal scorer with 53 goals from 80 appearances, and Thursday’s fixture would give him the opportunity to break the record and become the new record goal scorer for the Three Lions.

Thursday’s game is the first time England will be playing a game since their quarterfinal loss at the FIFA World Cup team in Qatar last year to France in a game Kane could have broken the record only to miss a penalty.

The game is the first time England will play a game since that quarterfinal fixture, and Gareth Southgate trusts Kane to do the job this time around.

“We have seen in his performances for his club he has put it behind him. I know he will have added motivation tomorrow night to come back and show everyone what he is about again in an England shirt. We have to have the humility to work hard and qualify again. It is a great fixture to get that underway.” Gareth Southgate said.

England are in group C of the qualifiers alongside Italy, North Macedonia, Ukraine, and Malta. While manager Gareth Southgate has called up Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster to replace injured Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope, the team will be without Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford due to injury.

Nevertheless, England won’t be without firepower with Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka called up.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu