England legend Stuart Pearce has backed Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson to start for the Three Lions against the United States on Friday, if Harry Kane isn't deemed fit to play.
Kane took a knock to his ankle before being replaced by Wilson in England's 6-2 victory against Iran in their World Cup opener on Monday.
The England captain was due to undergo a scan on Wednesday but looks to have escaped relatively unscathed, with England hopeful that he can feature against USA.
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Nevertheless, Gareth Southgate has Wilson, as well as Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who scored his first World Cup goal against Iran, as potential alternatives.
Pearce has tipped Wilson to start if Kane is unavailable, and has urged him to seize any opportunity that comes his way.
"I think if Harry Kane looks me in the eye and says, 'I'm fit to play', I'd play Harry Kane, as simple as that," the former England international told talkSPORT.
"If it's not, I think it depends of Gareth's viewpoint. Does he view Marcus Rashford as a centre-forward, or does he not? I would probably air on Callum Wilson.
"When the door does open for you, and it might have opened for Callum coming up on Friday. If it has, he's got to take that opportunity, as the subs do when they come off the bench."
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