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Harry Kane weighs in on England fitness concerns after FIFA gaffe

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Harry Kane insists he is over any fitness issues and says he is in top condition - despite FIFA's website claiming he was 15-and-a-half stone

England captain Harry Kane insists he is at his "fighting weight" after FIFA put him down as 15-and-a-half stone.

The Tottenham striker has had injury problems with his right ankle since 2016, with a setback as recently as March this year prompting fears his World Cup campaign could be affected.

But the 24-year-old, who says the only type of England skipper he wants to be is a "winning one", promised he is in top shape heading into the tournament - despite what the FIFA website may have listed about him.

"The lads came over to me yesterday afternoon and said my weight had been put at 96 kilos," Kane said at the England media day, broadcast on Sky Sports News.

"I don't know if it's been changed but I'm definitely not 15-and-a-half-stone.

"I'm normally about 89 or 90 kilos. We weigh most days when we get up and that's normally my fighting weight."

He added: "I feel really good and training has been of a high intensity. Obviously everyone is fighting for places and that has pushed everyone along fitness-wise.

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"It's been a tough camp and that's what we all needed. It was good to get some minutes on the weekend and I'm fully refreshed."

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England manager Gareth Southgate says the squad has embraced the media day and has a good feel about it

England failed to get out of the group stages in Brazil four years ago, but Kane says Gareth Southgate's squad will not be thinking about past World Cup failures.

"The main thing is to believe it can be different," he said. "It's been tough because for the last 50 years we haven't won anything.

"We've got to stay focused on ourselves and not worry about the teams in the past.

"We're our own team and our own identity. We've got to enjoy the occasion and we can't wait to get out there and get started."

England start their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18.

The group also includes Belgium and Panama, and Kane revealed that the England squad have been practising penalties before the tournament.

"We haven't been doing it every session," Kane said ahead of Thursday's warm-up friendly with Costa Rica in Leeds.

Gareth Southgate
Image: Gareth Southgate missed a penalty as England were knocked out of Euro 96

"But just now and then the coaches will throw it in at the end when we're a little bit fatigued.

"That's obviously when it's going to happen at the end of extra-time when the lads are tired.

"We haven't spoken about it too much because it's about freeing your mind. Just pick where you want to go and go with it."

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