Harry Kane’s chances of making his England debut improved yesterday after Daniel Sturridge withdrew from the squad to face Lithuania and Italy through injury.

Sturridge underwent a scan at St George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent late Monday after reporting for duty with a hip problem he suffered in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

After assessing the results, the England medical staff decided Sturridge would not be able to play in the upcoming matches and sent the striker back to his parent club Liverpool.

Sturridge’s withdrawal is unfortunate for the player and England manager Roy Hodgson, who has not been able to select the 25-year-old since September.

But Sturridge’s loss, is Kane’s gain. As one of just three strikers in the 24-man party, the Tottenham forward now has a good chance of starting either the Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley on Friday or the friendly in Turin four days later.

Kane, who scored a hat-trick against Leicester to take his season tally to 29 goals at the weekend, will be hoping to impress Hodgson during training this week.

He will be joined by fellow uncapped Spurs team-mate Ryan Mason, who was drafted into the squad after Adam Lallana withdrew because of a groin injury.

Last year Mason was on loan at League One Swindon, but the midfielder has forced his way into the Spurs starting XI after impressing new coach Mauricio Pochettino.

England’s first ever match against Lithuania is a 90,000 sell-out.