England legend Wayne Rooney sends warning to Tottenham star Harry Kane

Former England star, Wayne Rooney, has warned Tottenham striker Harry Kane not to go into a major tournament with an injury.

The Spurs striker has picked up more than his fair share of injuries over the last two years and he has perhaps been guilty of rushing himself back too quickly on occasion.

Kane was in a race against time to make the Euros this summer after picking up a hamstring injury on New Years Day, but the tournament has now been shifted to next summer due to the coronavirus crisis.

Rooney certainly knows a thing or two about rushing back from injury to play big tournaments, having made the England squad for the 2006 World Cup despite breaking three metatarsals.

Looking back on the experience, the Derby County striker wrote in the Sunday Times: “The next day was my first training session with the team. I don’t think anyone knows this, but we were jogging around the training pitch for the warm-up and there was a ball. I couldn’t resist.

“I hit it from the halfway line, trying to strike the crossbar and felt my groin tear. I knew straight away.

“I got one of the physios to work quietly on it every day. I was taking painkillers. I didn’t want to say anything because a lot of people had put a lot of work into getting me fit. I didn’t report the injury until the tournament was over – and there was a 6cm tear in my groin.”

The 34-year-old admitted that he regretted rushing back in 2006 and urged Kane and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford to both learn from his mistake.

Rooney added: “Looking back, I should never have gone to that World Cup. In the same position again, I’d rule myself out – and that’s why if the Euros were going ahead this summer I’d have said to Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford that if they were struggling in any way, not to push it.

“Of course it’s hindsight. Back then I was 20, it was my first World Cup and there was so much expectation on me.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Kane has the attitude of wanting to play every single game which makes him a great asset for the club and a manager’s dream. However, there is no doubt that instinct has cost him over the last couple of years as he’s rushed back too quickly on occasions. Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson and doesn’t repeat the mistake in the future.

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