Nations League: Kane cap record, Mbappe doubt, Klopp's Germany

The UEFA Nations League group stage continues this week with matchdays five and six, as teams chase places in next year’s finals in Spain. Reigning champions Portugal and World Cup winners Spain have already sealed qualification, leaving the remaining berths to be decided over Thursday and Friday’s fixtures.

England host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, and Harry Kane is set to become the country’s most-capped player. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker, already England’s record scorer with 91 goals, is expected to make his 126th appearance, moving one ahead of Peter Shilton. Kane is back in London just two weeks after becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or. England sit second in Group A3, six points clear of Croatia after last month’s 7-0 win in Rijeka.

France face Italy in Milan on Thursday before hosting Turkey three days later, but coach Zinedine Zidane has a lengthy injury list. William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram are among those unavailable. Captain Kylian Mbappe, back in the squad after a knee issue, now has a hamstring problem and is unlikely to play against Italy, according to L’Equipe, though he could return for the Turkey match. France top Group A3 with 10 points, three clear of Italy under Roberto Mancini.

Germany, now led by Jurgen Klopp, have won just once in four matches and sit third in Group A2 behind Greece and the Netherlands. They travel to Serbia on Friday before welcoming the Dutch on Monday. Klopp has called up Werder Bremen forward Niclas Fullkrug, the current Bundesliga top scorer, to boost his attack.