Harry Kane says that England are “in a better place” as a squad compared to where they were ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup, as the Three Lions look to take advantage of a Euro 2020 tournament that could well be played near-exclusively on home turf.

Gareth Southgate’s side are among the favourites to win a first major trophy for over half a century at this summer’s rearranged pan-continental event, after securing a surprise last-four berth three years ago, backed up by a bronze Nations League finish in 2019.

England, who could play all but one of their games at Wembley Stadium if they reach the final, face a tricky path to glory, starting with Croatia – the side who bested them in the semi-finals in Russia – on Sunday, but Kane feels a stronger squad this time around could bode well for their chances.

“We’re probably in a better place,” Kane told the official England podcast after warm-up victories over Austria and Romania. “Going into that World Cup, we maybe weren’t sure where we were as a team, but we performed really well and stepped up to the occasion.

“I feel like now we’ve had a bit more experience, players in the biggest games for their club and obviously players who have played in that World Cup have had that experience as well.

“I feel like we are in a good place. We know there is still a lot of hard work that goes into it. We don’t just turn up and win the tournament.

“We haven’t won a tournament as a country for a long time, so there needs to be a lot of good mentality along the whole way as it is a long, tough journey to get to the later stages of a major tournament.”