Euro 2016: England manager Roy Hodgson 'urged to drop Tottenham striker Harry Kane' amid burn-out fears

Kane was the highest goal-scorer in the Premier League last season with 25 goals for Tottenham

Harry Kane reacts after missing a chance for England against Russia (Getty)

Roy Hodgson has reportedly been urged by senior figures in the England camp to drop Harry Kane amid concerns over his fitness.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker was the highest goal-scorer in the Premier League last season, with 25 goals, but struggled to make an impact during the European Championship Group B opener against Russia.

Eric Dier, his Spurs team-mate, scored a fierce free-kick in the 73rd minute only for Vasili Berezutski's stoppage-time equaliser to break England hearts and hand Russia a scarcely deserved point.

Hodgson has thus far resisted the temptation to strip Kane of his place in the starting-line up with the 22-year-old regularly featuring for England since bursting onto the scene during the 2014-15 season.

But reports by The Sun suggests there is concern that Kane has burned out after making 50 appearances across four competitions for Mauricio Pochettino’s men last season.

Jamie Vardy, the Leicester City striker, was an unused substitute for the draw against Russia on Saturday night with supporters growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of opportunities under Hodgson.

Meanwhile, Kane has rubbished Gareth Bale’s comments that England lack pride at major tournaments, fueling the Anglo-Welsh rivalry ahead of the meeting between the two home island nations on Thursday.

He said: “We have got great players. We aren’t no mugs, we’re a good side. That’s his opinion because he is Welsh. We have got passionate fans — the atmosphere in Marseilles felt like a home game.

“We know it’s a derby. We know how much it is going to mean to us and our fans. We are looking forward to it. It is a key game.”