• John Stones of England shares a joke with teammate Kyle Walker during the England training session ahead of their Wortld Cup qualifiers. Getty
    John Stones of England shares a joke with teammate Kyle Walker during the England training session ahead of their Wortld Cup qualifiers. Getty
  • Ben Chilwell on his bike during the England training session. Getty
    Ben Chilwell on his bike during the England training session. Getty
  • Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Ollie Watkins and Kieran Trippier in action. Getty
    Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Ollie Watkins and Kieran Trippier in action. Getty
  • Harry Maguire jumps to it at the England training session. Getty
    Harry Maguire jumps to it at the England training session. Getty
  • Gareth Southgate, manager of England, speaks with Kyle Walker. Getty
    Gareth Southgate, manager of England, speaks with Kyle Walker. Getty
  • Manchester City star Raheem Sterling takes part in England training. Getty
    Manchester City star Raheem Sterling takes part in England training. Getty
  • Phil Foden enjoys the training session. Getty
    Phil Foden enjoys the training session. Getty
  • Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse in action. Getty
    Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse in action. Getty

Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and England stars tune up for World Cup qualifiers - in pictures


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Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins said it was a shock to be on the same training pitch as Harry Kane but hopes to learn from the England captain after earning his maiden call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad.

Watkins, who has long been an admirer of the Tottenham striker, has been rewarded for an impressive Premier League campaign in which he has scored 10 goals in 28 matches and could make his international debut in Thursday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

"I was speaking to the strength and conditioning coach here about three-and-a-half years ago when I was at Brentford," the 25-year-old said after training alongside Kane, Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire and the other England stars.

"I was asking him about what Harry Kane's routine is and a few years later, I am here training with him. It is a bit of a shock but enjoyable as well."

Watkins hopes to stake a claim for a regular England spot but acknowledged it would be difficult to dislodge Kane, who has scored 32 goals in 51 games for England.

"I couldn't speak more highly of him," Watkins said. "Everyone knows what he's capable of and there's a lot of other talented English strikers as well.

"It's always going to be hard to play for England, let alone take a position, but I'm just trying to be the best player I can be."

An Arsenal fan growing up, Watkins said he had modelled his game after one of the club's greatest players, Thierry Henry.

"Henry I think is probably the best striker to ever play in the Premier League," he said. "He's definitely someone I look up to, supporting Arsenal from young. But I feel like I'm a long way away from being like Thierry."