Antonio Conte explains why Harry Kane will have 'fantastic' World Cup

Conte is expecting a memorable tournament for Kane
Conte is expecting a memorable tournament for Kane / Julian Finney/GettyImages
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Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has backed Harry Kane to have a 'fantastic' World Cup campaign with England due to his much improved fitness and conditioning.

Kane will lead the Three Lions in Qatar as captain as the Three Lions go in search of tournament glory for the first time since 1966.

The 29-year-old is in fine form and has started each of the 21 games that he's been eligible for this season, admitting over the summer that Conte has helped him return to peak physical condition.

Though the Italian recently revealed Kane has been suffering a little with fatigue, he believes that the striker's physical capabilities will serve him well at the World Cup.

"I think Harry is going to play a fantastic World Cup because in this season he was never injured, he has been able to train well, he is good physically and for sure to play many games in such a short period is difficult," Conte said.

"But not only for Harry. Eric Dier is another player going with the national team. To play 13 games in 43 days [since the September internationals] mentally you could be a bit tired, but top players have to be good to manage these situations.

"You make the difference by managing these situations in the right way. When you are a top player it is very difficult for the manager to put them on the bench. You need your top players to play. There is a big risk for all the national teams. All the players have played a lot. Then the games with the clubs finish and the World Cup starts. The coach of the national teams have to be very good to manage the situation. Until now, we have managed the situation, and believe me, it was really, really difficult."

Conte was then asked if he was nervous about Kane picking up an injury at the World Cup, to which he replied: "When I watch Harry Kane, I see a player that wants to play every game! Every game! This is good. This is important for me because it means he feels well. He feels a lot of energy in his body. For sure, in this moment he wants to finish well with us, with Tottenham.

"Tottenham is now at the top of his thoughts. Until Saturday. Then for sure, for sure, he is the captain of England, the most representative player. We are talking about a really top striker in the world. This is a big competition, the biggest competition in the world, and for sure, he has great desire to do something special for his national team, but they have to do this after the game tomorrow.

"Before he has to give us everything. I am sure this will happen, but when you are a player like Harry that gives you everything in every game, it’s very difficult to make decision, to put on the bench, to give him rest. The desire and his eyes are full of energy."