Harry Kane says he is disappointed by the large number of withdrawals from the England squad this week, insisting the national team must come first.
The Euro 2024 runners-up travel to Greece for a must-win Nations League match on Thursday before a Wembley meeting with Ireland on Sunday.
But interim boss Lee Carsley's final camp before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as the new manager has been hit by eight departures.
The situation has frustrated Kane, who will lead the team to the Olympic Stadium in Athens, despite knowing that key players are absent for a match they must win to have a chance of automatic promotion.
Asked if there was one thing that former manager Gareth Southgate had in mind that senior players should make sure are not lost, the striker told ITV: “I think it's a pleasure to play for England. I think he brought her back.
“I think people from every camp were excited to come, people from every camp wanted to play for England and yes, that's the most important thing.
“I think England comes before anything else. England comes before the club.”
The Bayern Munich forward said it was “shameful” that so many players had pulled out.
“It's a tough stage of the season and maybe that's taken advantage of a bit,” he said.
“If I'm completely honest I don't really like it. I think England comes before the situation at any club.”
Eight players withdrew from Carlesley's initial 26-man squad for the Nations League double-header, including Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.
Jarrad Branthwaite was among five players brought into the squad, but the Everton centre-back did not travel to Greece, with Liverpool's Jerrel Kwansa called up in his place.
Carsley insisted he was only focusing on the players available to him.
“The focus of the entire camp is on the players who are here,” he said. “It is important that we make the most of this situation.
“The number of players that have come out, it gives other players a chance to come here. We're looking forward to the game.”
Carsley, who will return to his job coaching England Under-21s after the Nations League games, tried to sidestep Kane's comments and said drop-outs were not unusual at this time of year.
“I think it's his opinion. I can only deal with what's in front of us.
“The amount of withdrawals we have done in this window, historically it has been the same in the past. November has always been a challenging window.
“The players who are here now are fully qualified to be here and are ready for tomorrow's game.
“Look at the players we’ve brought in,” he said. “It is really a proud moment for them. The focus is on the players who are here, not on those who are not.”
AFP
(TagstoTranslate)England(T)Harry Kane(T)Nations League
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