Need time to develop partnership with Rooney, Vardy: Harry Kane

England forward Harry Kane on Saturday said he needs time to develop a strike partnership with team-mates Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy, ahead of the European football championship, starting in France on June 10.

The troika led England's attack in the 1-0 win against Portugal at Wembley on Thursday but they did not seem to gel together.

England needed 86 minutes to break the deadlock and then too it was defender Chris Smalling's header which got them on the score sheet.

The Three Lions now have to face Russia in their Euro Cup opener next Saturday but Kane does not look worried about the performance of the trio.

"I don't think you can judge it on one performance. The understanding isn't just going to happen overnight," Kane was quoted as saying by goal.com.

"We were asked to play together against Portugal and we won the game. Of course we would have wanted a few more chances and a few more shots at goal, but it's something we are still working on, so there is no reason for anyone to get too downhearted.

"It's a learning curve. These games were to prepare us for the Euros and I feel they have done that," he added.

Kane believes coach Roy Hodgson will pick the best possible players upfront when they turn up against Russia.

"We'll see what formation the manager picks against Russia and we will do our best," he said.

Against Portugal, Kane's night nearly ended in tragedy with Bruno Alves catching the Tottenham Hotspur man with a high boot on his head which earned Alves a straight red card.

"It wasn't a great challenge," Kane said.

"I am happy I'm still here. I was lucky not to have a few stitches. I think he just caught me with the top of his boot rather than his studs so I got away with one," he added.

--IANS

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