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FBL-EUR-C1-ENG-PR-TOTTENHAM-KANE
Kane vows to come back ‘stronger’ after latest ankle injury
LONDON, April 10, 2019 BSS/AFP) – Tottenham striker Harry Kane vowed
Wednesday to come back “stronger than ever” after his latest ankle injury
cast a cloud over his side’s Champions League victory against Manchester
City.
Kane limped off the pitch after a challenge with England teammate Fabian
Delph during Tuesday’s 1-0 quarter-final first-leg win at the new Tottenham
Hotspur Stadium.
It immediately looked serious as Kane was unable to put any weight on his
left foot and was helped down the tunnel, later leaving the ground on
crutches and with the joint in a brace.
The club’s medical staff will allow any swelling around the joint to
subside before a scan to reveal how bad the injury is, expected to be on
Thursday.
“Gutted to go off injured but every setback is a chance to come back
stronger than ever,” Kane tweeted.
“Big finish from the boys to go on and win!”
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted the injury could end the England
captain’s season, which would be a huge blow to the club’s hopes of Champions
League progression and also qualification for next year, with Tottenham still
locked in a top-four battle.
“It’s very, very sad. It’s going to be tough and we’re going to miss him –
– maybe for the rest of the season,” Tottenham’s Argentine coach told BT
Sport.
England boss Gareth Southgate will also be concerned, with the Nations
League Finals looming in June.
Kane, who injured ligaments in his left ankle during Tottenham’s Premier
League defeat against Manchester United on January 13, only returned in late
February, after missing seven matches.
The 25-year-old, the winner of the Golden Boot at last year’s World Cup,
has suffered five ankle injuries in just two-and-a-half years.
Tottenham’s talisman appears susceptible to ligament damage whenever he
rolls or impacts his ankle in a challenge.
He has an impressive recovery rate but Pochettino will have to prepare to
be without his top-scorer for the remainder of the season.
Spurs will look to Son Heung-min to step into the spotlight as the South
Korean promptly did against City, hitting the winner after Kane went off in
the 1-0 victory.
Son took centre stage during Kane’s last absence, scoring four goals in
four games, while Fernando Llorente is likely to get a run-out against
already-relegated Huddersfield on Saturday.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1920HRS