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
Injuries open way for Sanchez and Lukaku to shine for United. By. AFP - February 26, 2019 7:37 PM. "They've been part of our training for a long time now," said Solskjaer.
Injuries open the way for Lukaku and Sanchez to shine for
The Sterling by Music Man Ray35 StingRay Electric Bass design stays true to the Modern StingRay 5 body-style. The Music Man designed humbucker, equipped with Alnico magnets, is paired with an award winning 3-Band active preamp, and onboard controls for volume, bass, mid and treble and 3-position
Sterling Bass | Guitar Center
Premier League: Willian Gem Sinks Newcastle United As Chelsea Cement Fourth Place Updated: 13 January 2019 09:15 IST Fourth-placed Chelsea have won five of their last seven league matches and sit
Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement fourth place
Bayern forward Wagner makes China move after 'very attractive offer' Bayern Munich's back-up striker Sandro Wagner on Wednesday joined Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League (CSL) for a reported transfer fee of five million euros ($5.7m) and a hefty pay packet.
League Cup: Harry Kane's VAR penalty gives Tottenham edge
Valencia eased into the semi-finals of the Europa League for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spanish side Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win - Daily
Football: EPL bottom team Huddersfield condemn racist abuse of Philip Billing on social media Huddersfield Town's Philip Billing received a racist message over social media on March 12, 2019
Football: EPL bottom team Huddersfield condemn racist abuse
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his "confident" side could stage a Champions League fightback at Paris Saint-Germain this week after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton on Saturday.
Football, bloody hell!' - Solskjaer's Man United miracle in
West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield March 16 (Reuters) - WEST HAM UNITED 4 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 3 Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Huddersfield Town - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2019 West Ham's Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring their fourth goal with team mates Action Images
Football news - West Ham leave it late to see off spirited
Wayne Rooney's first three goals of the season led DC United to a dominant 5-0 win over visiting Real Salt Lake on Saturday. It was Rooney's first hat-trick in Major League Soccer since joining DC
Football: PSG thrash Dijon in first outing since Champions
Refreshed Croatia win with attack-focused play
This experience ranges from a reporting at a local level, to spending time on a national sports desk, as well as being a Tottenham season ticket holder. When I'm not watching Spurs, I like to play sport, write fiction novels, and chill out with some online gaming.
[Unpopular Opinion] Poch still showed his class in the Spurs
If opener bids a new suit higher ranking than his first suit, it is forcing for one round (if partner responded at the one level) or to game (if partner responded at the two level). This type of bid is called a reverse , and is an integral part of standard bidding.
Foilboards: How the F*ck Do They Work? | The Inertia
Son Heung-min's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Manchester City City were not at their best as Spurs chased and harried Pep Guardiola's side for 90 minutes and they will rue Sergio
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City
0 comments:
Post a Comment