England boss Gareth Southgate admits striker and captain Harry Kane is under a lot of pressure.

Not only is Kane dealing with the weight of a nation's expectations to win a major tournament, but he is also the subject of a transfer saga involving his club Tottenham and suitors Manchester City.

Kane, who scored the second for England in a 2-0 win over Germany in the round of 16, will lead the line against Ukraine in the quarter finals.

"The life of a centre forward is a lot of pressure," Southgate said, per the Evening Standard.

"There is a huge expectation and – although at times it would feel from the outside it is a glamorous position to be in and they certainly get paid well – it comes with immense pressure and expectation. It is important as a manager to understand that and have empathy with that.

"Not only is there the public expectation but there is an inherent desire and drive that centre forwards have that if you win the game they don't score and they are irritated. They cannot help that. That is the mindset of the top players.

"So Tuesday will have been a perfect day for Harry. He wants the team to win more than anything else but for the team to win and him to score, without a doubt that will put a big smile on his face.

"I played with Alan in '96 and the change in him once he got that goal [in the opening game against Switzerland]. I remember being in China [on the pre-tournament trip] and it was another game without a goal and you could sense how it was for him."