Harry Kane is emerging as the leading candidate to replace Wayne Rooney as England's next permanent captain.

Rooney, whose chances of an instant recall into the England starting XI have improved following a knee injury to Dele Alli, will give up the armband after the 2018 World Cup when he retires from international football.

Sportsmail understands that Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane is at the forefront of Gareth Southgate's thoughts as he considers his captaincy options.

Harry Kane is emerging as the leading candidate to be England's next permanent captain

Kane stretches out as he prepares for his side's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Scotland

Southgate, England's interim manager, is likely to be offered the post on a permanent basis barring a disastrous result against Scotland on Friday and is already planning for the future.

Having worked with Kane at Under 21 level, Southgate believes he has the qualities to step up once Rooney goes.

Kane is Spurs' vice-captain and those who work with him regularly believe he is a natural leader.

Jordan Henderson will also be a contender for Rooney's job in 2018. The Liverpool midfielder captained England for last month's goalless draw in Slovenia, when Rooney was dropped.

Southgate has been impressed with how Henderson has taken over the Liverpool captaincy vacated by Steven Gerrard but it is understood that Kane would have rivalled him for the England armband against Slovenia had he been available.

If fit, Southgate plans to start Kane against the Scots, even though he has played just one game since returning from seven weeks out with an ankle injury.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson captained England for last month's goalless draw in Slovenia

Kane trained in the gym at St George's Park on Tuesday, but will take part in full training on Wednesday which will give Southgate a greater idea over whether the 23-year-old is sharp enough to start.

Until coming through 70 minutes of last weekend's north London derby, Kane had missed 10 games for his club, as well as England's World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia last month.

While his enforced absence drove him to distraction, Kane can now look at the positives.

Kane shares a joke with Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand during Tuesday's session

Having been a constant presence in Tottenham's team for two-and-a-half years — and representing England at tournaments in the past two summers — he can feel the benefit of being forced to stop.

'I've been playing so long without a break, so having to sit back and watch was difficult,' said Kane.

'I had to take as many positives as I could. The fact that I was fit and played 70 minutes against Arsenal was the test. I felt good, I felt sharp, so there was no reason for me not to come away.

Kane (far right) looks cold as he wraps up warm alongside Eric Dier (left) and Daniel Sturridge

'As long as it is managed and I can keep doing my rehab, there won't be a problem. It's great to be back. It was hard to take missing the last trip but my ankle feels great now. I had been training before Arsenal and it was in my mind I had to be fit to be called up.

'When a new manager comes in you want to be there and impress him. I worked with him for the Under 21s and it's great to be working with him again. I want to fight for place in this team. All I can do now is impress him in training.'

To fire up the squad for this clash, Southgate has shown the team a montage of previous England victories against Scotland and Kane hopes the intensity of the fixture, which he likened to a clash between Tottenham and Arsenal, will be an omen.

Kane made his comeback during Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday

The striker beat Gunners stopper Petr Cech from the penalty spot at the Emirates Stadium

'I seem to do well in games against our rivals,' he said. 'If I'm picked to play I will be full of passion and pride and trying to win the game for our country.

'You want to put in your best performances in the big occasions. We have had a meeting about this. We all know what it means.'

Southgate is set to shuffle his attacking options for the clash against the Scots following the lacklustre draw in Slovenia.

He believes the return of in-form Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling will add potency to an attacking midfield that lacked that quality last time out.

Gareth Southgate has shown the team a montage of previous England wins against Scotland

Likewise, Rooney could even be handed a recall to the team after he was dropped for the draw in Ljubljana. Alli's injury means the No 10 role is up for grabs on Friday night and Southgate is contemplating drafting his captain straight back into the team at Wembley.

Another option being considered, however, is to play Lallana at No 10, flanked by Sterling and Theo Walcott. But England legend Terry Butcher has no doubts who should replace Alli.

'I hope Rooney plays,' said Butcher.' I hope he plays in the No 10 role, He is tailor-made to be there. He was there for the 3-1 (win over Scotland) at Celtic Park and was magnificent. I hope he is magnificent on Friday.'