Mazzarri urges Allardyce to pick skipper Deeney for England

According to his manager Walter Mazzarri, Watford skipper Troy Deeney is a ready-made replacement to stand-in for Harry Kane for England later this month.

England, who opened their 2016 World Cup campaign with victory in Slovakia, host Malta at Wembley on Saturday October 8, and then travel to Slovenia the following Tuesday.

New England boss Sam Allardyce selected Kane as his main man to lead the England line earlier this month but the Tottenham striker will be missing for Malta and Slovenia through injury and now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Allardyce has an avalanche of options at his disposal; Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Leicester’s Jamie Vardy seem the most likely to benefit from Kane’s absence.

But after scoring in successive games against West Ham and then against Manchester United, Mazzarri has called on Allardyce to select his skipper.

The Italian Mazzarri: “Of course he is ready for international level.

“I would be proud and really happy if Deeney went to the national team.

“He has improved physically and he is much fitter now. He is a strong striker – he just needs to look after his fitness.

“I respect the England manager and his decision, and I am biased as he is one of my players.

“The FA can call me with the help of an interpreter, but they haven’t called up until now.”