Harry Kane Ruled Out of Wales Friendly – Who Could Be His Long-Term Replacement?

England captain Harry Kane has been ruled out of the upcoming friendly match against Wales due to an injury setback. The Bayern Munich striker has been dealing with a minor muscle issue, and England’s medical staff have decided to rest him as a precaution ahead of their next competitive fixtures.

With Kane unavailable, manager Gareth Southgate faces a familiar question — who can step up as England’s long-term back-up striker?

Several options are on the table. Ollie Watkins has been in brilliant form for Aston Villa, showing consistency and work rate that make him a strong contender. Ivan Toney also remains in contention, offering physical presence and penalty expertise. Meanwhile, younger talents like Eddie Nketiah and Cole Palmer could be tested as future attacking options.

Though Kane’s absence is temporary, England must begin planning for the future. Finding a reliable replacement won’t be easy, but this friendly could provide Southgate the perfect opportunity to experiment with his attacking options before major tournaments.