Ian Wright blasts Harry Kane for criticising the NINE England stars to pull out of Lee Carsley's squad as Arsenal legend insists 'I can't understand it, I'm shocked'

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Ian Wright admitted he was 'very surprised' to hear Harry Kane's comments seemingly criticising the nine players who dropped out of the England squad. 

England are in Athens to take on Greece in a must-win game for the Three Lions, as they look to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat they suffered at home to Thursday night's hosts and top the group. 

But the build-up to the game has been dominated by discussions around the numerous players who have pulled out of Lee Carsley's squad, for injury issues and other reasons. 

Kane was quizzed on the situation ahead of the game, and on Wednesday it emerged that he had suggested some of his team-mates had 'taken advantage' of a congested club schedule. 

Former England international striker Wright, though, was seemingly not impressed by the England captain's comments.  

'I was very surprised. We're talking about somebody who has been in the trenches with those guys,' he said on ITV's pre-match coverage on Thursday evening. 

Ian Wright was critical of Harry Kane's comments in the run up to England's clash with Greece

Kane had suggested those that had pulled out of the squad had 'taken advantage' of the busy club schedule

Lee Carsley's side has been blighted by injuries with nine players returning to their clubs after being called up

'Every England call-up is important and is an opportunity. We're talking about a captain of a bunch of players, the team where Gareth had the group together, everything so strong.

'Going from all unity in the squad, to then a few withdrawals, and then you're hearing a lack of commitment (from Kane).

'Again, the FA have chosen not to have their manager here for it. The FA have set a precedent for it.

'But for Harry to say that about the players he's been in the trenches with, two finals, the semi-finals of the World Cup, knowing the calibre of the players, to say he's disappointed especially with the fixtures and the crazy amount of the games they have to play, it was a bit of a shock to me.'

Wright added: 'He knows these guys. I can't understand it. I'm shocked to hear it. (The international break) It's a time where it's an opportunity to try and get fit. 

'Nobody is taking liberties with Carsley or (Thomas) Tuchel. The fact is they've taken an opportunity to try and get fit for those clubs.'

Kane was left out of the starting XI by Carsley as a tactical decision, with Ollie Watkins handed the opportunity to lead the line in the crucial clash in Athens. 

Roy Keane, also on ITV's punditry team, for his part admitted he was more surprised that the striker wasn't in the side. 

Roy Keane questioned the timing of Kane's comments, and admitted he was surprised at the captain's omission from the starting XI

But the Manchester United legend was also intrigued by the timing of the captain's comments, especially given the emphasis on inter-squad unity that had been such a key element of the Gareth Southgate era. 

'The noise coming out of the England camp for the last few years was that they're all together and proud to play for the country and that they'll also turn up,' he said. 

'The timing was strange from Harry Kane to have a go there but he's a senior player and he's entitled to have an opinion. The big surprise for me is that he's not playing. 

He added: 'My worry is throwing a comment out like that...which players is he talking about? 

'They've played week-in, week-out the last few years for England and their club and they're always available. Which lads is he talking about? He's just made a general comment.'

Kane's comments come against the backdrop of a season which will see more club games than any other. 

The change in Champions League format will see teams play more preliminary games in the league phase, while there has also been an increase to the number of matches in the Club World Cup, scheduled for the summer. 

Bayern Munich striker Kane, when asked what one aspect of previous boss Gareth Southgate’s reign senior players must ensure isn’t lost, answered: ‘I think the joy to play for England. I think he brought that back.

Kane accused England’s drop-outs of taking advantage amid concerns players are putting club before country

England’s plans for their Nations League clash in Greece were decimated due to a glut of withdrawals

‘Every camp, people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England and that’s the most important thing.

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Harry Kane SLAMS England drop-outs for 'taking advantage of a tough period of the season'

‘I think England comes before anything. It comes before club and it is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer.

‘Gareth was hot on that and he wasn’t and he wasn’t afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players.’

Asked if he felt that culture may have softened this week in light of the glut of pull-outs, Kane told ITV: ‘It’s a shame this week obviously.

‘I think it’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit.

'I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think as I just said there England comes before before anything, any club situation.’