Joe Marler jokes he has not ‘done a Harry Kane’ and gives hilarious reason for missing Harlequins’ pre-season training

Joe Marler is still yet to turn up to pre-season training with Harlequins, but he has jokingly promised he is NOT ‘doing a Harry Kane’.

The England captain continues to dominate airwaves, column inches and TV time due to his continued absence from Tottenham Hotspur's training ground.

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Kane is reportedly keen on a move to Manchester City, but remains locked into a long-term deal with Spurs which means Daniel Levy has a strong hand.

Like Kane, funny man Marler is also set to return to pre-season training for Premiership champions Quins, with Head Coach Habai Watson unaware of the loosehead prop’s whereabouts.

However, the England forward insists he is being afforded some much-needed paternity leave after welcoming his fourth child in June.

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“I don’t know a single player in any sport that would be worried about missing pre-season,” Marler said on Breakfast.

“This ain’t a protest, it’s just that I have forgot the dates," he joked. "No, that’s not fair, I’ve actually taken a delayed paternity leave.

“So my missus had a kid in…when was it? Six, seven weeks ago and it was around the Premiership semi-final time.

“And I said to the boss, ‘I’m going to have to take paternity, mate. I’ve looked in the contract, I’ve never had paternity before and apparently you can get away with it.'

“He said, ‘That’s alright, when are you going to take it?’ And I said, ‘Well, as soon as the baby comes – that’s kind of what it is for.’

“And he said, ‘But that’s the semi-final and potential final?’ I said. ‘Yeah sorry mate, that’s the way the cookie crumbles.’

“So I said I would take it delayed, so this is just one of the delayed points.”

When asked by Jamie O’Hara if his manager was aware of why he was absent from training, Marler could not contain his laughter.

He added: “He doesn’t know yet! If he is listening, this is the first time he is hearing it. Brilliant.”

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