Harry Kane to start against Iceland but Ivan Toney to get last shot at Euro 2024 place

Gareth Southgate says he will give Ivan Toney a chance to win a place in England’s squad for the European Championship but his priority is to get Harry Kane fully fit for the start of the tournament.

Kane, rather than Toney, is therefore due to start Friday’s final warm-up game against Iceland at Wembley Stadium which will finish less than three hours before the midnight deadline for Southgate to submit his 26-man squad to Uefa.

Toney was not used in the 3-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on Monday with Kane coming on after 62 minutes to replace Ollie Watkins.

Even though it was a difficult evening for Watkins, who struggled to get involved in the game, Southgate decided to turn to Kane rather than Toney, who has made just two appearances so far for England.

The Brentford striker started the 2-2 friendly against Belgium in March – and scored from the penalty spot on what was his full debut – but now faces an anxious wait to see if he makes the final cut.

Even though he impressed against Belgium, Toney’s case has not been helped by a disappointing end to the season as the 28-year-old failed to score in Brentford’s last 12 games. He returned from his eight month-ban for breaching the FA’s rules on gambling in January and scored four times in his first five Premier League games but his form dipped after that.