England vs. Greece: Harry Kane left out of the starting line-up

England captain Harry Kane has been left on the bench for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash against Greece, with Ollie Watkins takes his place in the starting line-up.

England caretaker manager Lee Carsley said he was keen to give Watkins a chance to start in a high-pressure encounter.

“It was important to give Ollie Watkins an opportunity. To experience a night like this will be great for himself. This team needs to try and create leaders and one way to do that is to give them opportunities,” Carsley told ITV Sport.

“He’s fine,” Carsley said of Kane’s response to the decision. “He wants to play but his attitude has been fantastic. I think it’s important to give the players a chance and I’m sure Ollie will do really well tonight.”

Kyle Walker will wear the captain’s armband for Kyle Walker, while Liverpool’s Curtis Jones has made his England debut.

On Tuesday, Kane offered a scathing rebuke to his England team-mates after nine of them pulled out of the squad due to injury.

“I think all the campers were excited to come, all the campers wanted to play for England and that’s the main thing,” he said.

“I think England comes before anything. England comes before the club.”