HARRY KANE has launched a bullish defence of his own form and fitness.
The England skipper and all-time record scorer has been widely criticised for sub-standard performances against Serbia and Denmark in his side’s opening two group matches.
But Kane insists he is ‘as fit as I’ve been all season’ - and pointed out that he has scored one more goal than at this stage in England’s previous two tournaments.
Kane was substituted midway through the second half of Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Denmark, despite having opened the scoring.
But in response to criticism of his overall contributions, after a back injury at the end of the domestic season, Kane insists he feels as good as he did while scoring 44 goals in his maiden campaign with Bayern Munich.
He said: “In the games at this tournament I’ve felt as fit as I have all season.
“I know I came off in the second game but that was down to the manager wanting to see something different and freshening up the front players.
“From my point of view I am fit, I am getting better and better in each game.
“In previous tournaments I’ve spoken about trying to make sure you come into your peak for the knockouts. Time will tell but it’s important to go into this knockout stage feeling 100 per cent and I feel I am there.
“Have I played the best that I know I can? No. But I didn’t score in the group stage at the World Cup, I didn’t score in the group stage at the last Euros.
“So from that point of view, it’s a bonus to be one goal ahead.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Slovenia, Kane claims England have been feeling their way into the tournament.
He said: “It is not a time to panic but a time to improve. In these tournaments at this early stage it is almost like a boxer in the first couple of rounds seeing how everything is at and how they feel.
“Or a golfer in a major tournament in the first round - ‘don’t play yourself out of the tournament. Be calm’.”
England must defeat Slovenia to ensure they finish top of Group C and avoid a likely last-16 clash with hosts Germany.
And Kane, 30, said: “We definitely want to win the group. I don't think it’s just to avoid anyone.
“Of course Germany have had a fantastic start to the tournament, but I think it's more the momentum that a win will give us going into the knockout stages.
“People expected us to finish top and we expect to finish top, in the position we're in now especially.
“We want to go out there on Tuesday and put a marker down for the rest of the tournament.”