LONDON • Absolutely devastating. That was the reaction of former Tottenham forward Chris Waddle to the news Harry Kane would be ruled out for at least two months after suffering ankle ligament damage during the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United over the weekend.
Spurs' prospects of winning a first trophy under manager Mauricio Pochettino this season suffered a significant blow on Tuesday when the club announced Kane - the league's joint-top scorer on 14 goals - was "expected to return to training in early March".
"Following preliminary assessments, we can confirm that @HKane has damaged ligaments in his left ankle," an official Spurs tweet read. "He will continue to be monitored by our medical staff as he commences rehabilitation."
The England captain tweeted in response that while "injuries are part of the game, no one will be working harder to get back fit".
The talismanic striker could possibly miss 12 matches, including a potential League Cup final, both legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund, and seven league games, as Spurs strive to keep up with leaders Liverpool and Manchester City.
The 25-year-old is no stranger to ankle problems, having endured time on the sidelines in the last three years and missing seven weeks in 2016 in what was his most significant spell out.
However, with Tottenham 1-0 up in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Chelsea, his absence this time is untimely.
Pochettino, who has yet to deliver silverware since joining the club in 2014, is already without Son Heung-min - potentially until Feb 1 - while he plays for South Korea at the Asian Cup, and he has ruled out reintroducing out-of-favour Vincent Janssen to the first team.
That leaves Lucas Moura, who should return at Fulham on Sunday after knee trouble, and Fernando Llorente - who has in effect been available for transfer and has been the subject of interest from Barcelona - as his strike options for the foreseeable future.
The club had not anticipated entering the market this month and it remains to be seen if that policy shifts in the wake of Kane's injury.
Waddle told BBC Radio 5 Live it was now imperative for Spurs to bolster their front line in the transfer window and prevent their season from petering out.
He said: "I'm sure they're looking around Europe. Could they get someone on loan to tick them over until the end of the season?"
However, The Mirror claimed that Spurs could instead splash the cash with Bournemouth's Callum Wilson mooted as a possibility.
While the Cherries have reportedly slapped a £75 million (S$130.6 million) asking price on the England forward to ward off any suitors, Sky Sports said Spurs have "admired" the 26-year-old for some time.
His nine league goals in 20 appearances this season have fired his club to mid-table safety and Sky Sports pundit Liam Rosenior felt Wilson would be the "perfect fit" to fill Kane's shoes.
The former Brighton defender added: "He is of a profile where he would be delighted to have the chance to play for a club like Spurs.
"He gives them the pace to run in behind. I wouldn't be surprised if they put a marker down, and show they want to keep Pochettino and build for the future."
THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES, LONDON
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League Semi Final - Portugal v Switzerland - Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal - June 5, 2019 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTER
Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several
After Vincent Kompany's decision to join boyhood club Anderlecht as player-manager, we reflect on his best moments at Manchester City. Vincent Kompany said he had "lived the dream" as he
Vincent Kompany after FA Cup win: Man City are best team in
Tottenham are making quick progress towards the completion of their new stadium at White Hart Lane as they look to complete the lift of the roof in the coming weeks. Spurs want to return from
Liverpool hero makes bizarre Tottenham Hotspur Stadium claim
The Straits Times - Get latest breaking news, business, sports, lifestyle, tech & multimedia and more news in Singapore, Asia & rest of the world at straitstimes.com.
Croatia, Hungary win to pull away in Group E | SBS News
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard
Fifa study to decide fate of 48-team World Cup, Football News
Karim Benzema stopped Real Madrid's underwhelming La Liga season going from bad to worse on Sunday after firing a last-minute winner to hand the European champions a barely-deserved 3-2 winner
Football: Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca
Football: Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon Lyon's Anthony Lopes makes a save from Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Emmanuel Foudrot, Reuters LYON, France - Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon - Reuters
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence - usatoday.com
LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Bayern Munich showed all their Champions League experience and quality organisation as they held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their last 16 match at
Solid and smart Bayern hold Liverpool at Anfield | Reuters.com
Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week
Sarri condemns abuse of Sterling as 'disgusting', Football
Unai Emery admits Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace was very frustrating but he tried to sound an optimistic note ahead of Wednesday's game with Wolves.. The Gunners starting lineup, heavily rotated by the Spaniard, struggled to cope with the visitors from the off and found themselves 1-0 down when Christian Benteke scored for the first time since fire was invented.
Emery, Wenger, Kroenke: who to blame for Arsenal's sh*tshow
0 comments:
Post a Comment