Harry Kane out to peak in World Cup knockouts as England captain insists he’s as fit as ever amid fatigue fear

England captain Harry Kane says the timing of the World Cup has ensured he feels as fit as he “is ever going to feel” and is confident of hitting top form in the knockouts.

Kane did not miss a single game for Tottenham in the first half of the campaign, leading to concerns that he could be jaded during the mid-season tournament, and he was sent for a scan on his foot after a heavy challenge in the opening game against Iran.

The skipper, who is just two goals shy of Wayne Rooney's all-time England goal record, was not among England's six scorers in the group but still played a part with three assists.

Four years ago in Russia, Kane scored five of his six goals en route to the Golden Boot in the first two games but at last summer's European Championship all four of his goals came in the knockouts.

Speaking on the eve of England's last-16 tie clash with Senegal, Kane revealed he has been working to peak in the latter stages of the tournament again.

“It goes back to 2018 and the World Cup,” he said. “I felt like from a physical and mental side of things, I started the tournament great with loads of goals and used a lot of energy.

“As the tournament went on, I felt like my performances dipped in the latter stages.

“I was conscious before the Euros of trying to make it go the other way. Obviously I still wanted to start well but I was trying to make sure that physically and mentally I was in the best shape for the knockouts.

“I've carried that into this tournament. I'd love to be sitting here with two or three goals but the group stage has gone well. Minutes-wise it's not been too tough, the games haven't been too physical when you look at the numbers and break it down.

Wales v England FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar | Group B Match | 29th November 2022

“Going into the knockout stage, I feel really good, fit and sharp, coming off the back of the Premier League schedule. I feel as match fit as I'm ever going to feel. Only time will tell but hopefully I can do well tomorrow and come into the best form in these knockout games.”

There have been concerns about the physical impact on players of holding the World Cup in the middle of a congested domestic season but Kane says the schedule has ensured he is sharper than he was going into previous summer tournaments.

“From a players' point of view, the timing of the World Cup [means it is] the highest physically the players will be at," he said. “They're coming off a lot of games for their clubs, they're match fit and rolling straight from the season to the tournament has helped.

“In a summer tournament, with a three or four week gap in between, it's hard to top and then get back up to go ahead. So that's why you've seen a really high level of performance. From my pointy of view, I feel good and physically in a really good place.”

Kane played 90 minutes against the USA and an hour in the win over Wales after the blow to his foot in the opening game and he admitted he was playing through the pain, but is now fully recovered.

“My foot feels fine, no problem at all," he said. “Obviously I had that knock in the first game but it's been getting better day by day and I'm in a place now where I almost don't feel it at all, which is great.”

“Form wise I feel like I'm playing well,” the Spurs striker added. “Obviously goals are what I'll be judged on most but as always I'm a calm individual. I always try to focus on doing my best for the team and I can do that in many ways as I've said before. I'll continue to try to do that.

“If the goals come, then great. It'll give us a better chance of winning the game and as a striker I always want to be scoring goals for sure. It'll be a really tough game tomorrow but hopefully I can get off the mark.”