Gareth Southgate will be contemplating dropping sluggish Harry Kane. And few fans would complain, writes DANNY MURPHY

I think the reason Harry Kane doesn’t look at his best physically is he missed the end of the season with back problems, and like a lot of heavy-set players, it takes time to return to full sharpness. In the meantime, he looks sluggish.

The dilemma now for Gareth Southgate is what do with his captain and talisman for the semi-final, because I think he got a bit lucky against the Swiss.

The changes against Switzerland were almost forced on to Gareth because England fell behind and Kane was taken off after he’d been shoved and got cramp.

With space opening up, the game had been crying out for an Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney well before Kane’s substitution actually happened.

I don’t think if Kane is removed from the starting line-up on Wednesday night there would be too many complaints from fans. And I am sure it’s something Gareth will contemplate.

But I still don’t think it will happen.

When you’re the record goalscorer for your country like Kane is and have won Golden Boots, you have a lot of credit in the bank.

And in international football, when the margins between success and failure are so thin, they are often decided by individual moments from your best players.

Even though Kane has been under par at the Euros, he’s scored a couple of times to earn us a draw against Denmark and the winner against Slovakia, and that’s within a team who have struggled creatively and aren’t supplying a lot of crosses.

A lot of people would have taken Jude Bellingham off against Slovakia, but Gareth’s faith was justified with the extraordinary overhead kick for the equaliser.

The manager has so much trust in Kane that he’ll always believe he’ll score the vital goal, no matter his overall performance.

I’d probably agree to stick with Kane in the semi-final, but that’s not to give him a free pass. If he’s not having an impact after an hour, don’t wait. Toney and Watkins are capable goalscorers themselves and England have been crying out for more energy and mobility at the top of the pitch.

Kane isn’t the only forward player who has surprisingly been under par. All the concern before a ball had been kicked was over the defence. But we’ve looked tight at the back and struggled going forward. Any centre-forward needs ammunition and we haven’t supplied it.

At the moment, we’ve crept into the last four with little flashes of brilliance, from Bellingham in the first knockout game and Bukayo Saka last night with our first shot on target.

But Switzerland had the better chances over the 120 minutes and we will have to improve as a team if we’re going get over the line, unlike the near-miss at the Euros three years ago.

Kane was bullish before the tournament. I think he genuinely did feel mentally refreshed having sat out a few games, but the evidence we’ve seen is that the sharpness isn’t there. It’s happened before when he’s missed games for Tottenham and there was something sad about England fans being glad about seeing him taken off after all he’s done for the country.

I felt for him as he’s not been getting the service of full-backs, with Kieran Trippier on the left side as a right-footer. But when there have been a couple of decent balls towards him, he’s not got on the end of them. He’s looked tired.

Maybe a fit and firing Luke Shaw will also help Kane to get going but I’d say the manager has to be more proactive.

When the game is beginning to stretch and is crying out for a bit of pace, don’t be afraid to take off Kane. I don’t think anyone would be up in arms.

It’s a tough one for Gareth. He’s a loyal man and has complete trust in Kane but that doesn’t mean he’s undroppable.

One other change that has to be made in my opinion is Cole Palmer, who has been our most impactful player off the bench. His calmness on the ball and willingness to take risks is exactly what England needs. He has been desperately unlucky not to start and I’d find a way of getting him in.