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
Football. Home football Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury Vigo after making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury setback ahead of Tuesday
Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to
LONDON (AFP) - Gordon Banks, the England football team's goalkeeper when they won the 1966 World Cup, has died aged 81, his former club Stoke announced on Tuesday (Feb 12).. Read more at
England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks dies
Watford's Andre Gray celebrates at the end of the match against Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road in Watford, March 16, 2019. ― Reuters pic. LONDON, March 16 ― Andre Gray came off the bench to fire Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with the late winner in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace today.
PDF Super-sub Andre Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis
Boyle was a key for Socceroos : Arnold . Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has revealed he viewed injured winger Martin Boyle as a key part of his Asian Cup title defence. Three tactical questions for Graham Arnold ahead of Socceroos opener The Socceroos begin their Asian Cup defence against Jordan on Sunday night at 10pm.
Speed key for Socceroos to catch Chile on the hop, writes
Huddersfield reduced the deficit to 2-1 after the restart as midfielder Philip Billing's swerving effort from distance flew past Southampton goalkeeper McCarthy, who appeared to be unsighted by a
Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town
Football News: Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence | FOX Sports
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba
MAN CITY 7 ROTHERHAM 0 Sterling, Foden, Jesus, Mahrez, Otamendi and Sane all on target as Man City thrash Rotherham in FA Cup and Manchester City went into seventh heaven. Paul Warne's
Seventh Heaven Full Service Salon - Home | Facebook
"We have exceptional young players who weren't given the licence to express themselves, and being able to express yourself is something that is often associated with United," Yorke, who has scored
Determined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was 'rare breed' at Man Utd
Ramli
Malaysia 0-1 Singapore: Faris' late goal settles derby in football's AirMarine Cup Malaysia 0 Singapore 1 The easy part was to promise entertaining, attacking football but Nazri Nasir walked the walk when he guided the Lions to a 1-0 win over Malaysia in the AirMarine Cup last night
Topic: Tigers | The Malaysian Pulse - Beat of the Nation
Crystal Palace put three goals past defending champions Manchester City, including a stunning volley by Andros Townsend, to win 3-2 on Sunday (NZ time) in the biggest upset of the English Premier
Arsenal 2-3 Crystal Palace: Gunners suffer SHOCK defeat to
0 comments:
Post a Comment