Harry Kane has come out in defence of England team-mate Raheem Sterling after the Manchester City attacker came under heavy criticism in the week leading up to yesterday’s 2-0 friendly win over Nigeria.

Sterling and Kane combined for the Three Lions skipper to smash in the second goal of the game, but all the pre-match attention was on Sterling after a controversial tattoo and a late arrival to the training camp.

The press attention has divided opinions on the media’s treatment of Sterling and Kane believes that Sterling is being treated unfairly.

“I think there’s some criticism and articles that go around which are completely unfair but unfortunately that’s part of the world we live in,” Kane said.

“In camp the focus is solely on football, the matches and building that team chemistry. And that’s what we’ve been doing. Raheem’s very strong mentally. He’s been training very well, he’s come out today and played excellently.”

Sterling was in the headlines again after a booking in the first half for simulation as well as a lack of composure in the final third, but England manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for his performance.

He said: “It wasn’t about getting a response. I knew the form he was in and with the way he has trained that he would play well.”

“I had a decision to make on whether to play him after turning up late. But actually that wasn’t a decision once he started to come under fire from every other direction. The most important thing I do over the next six weeks is protect the players.”