Kane suspense for Spurs
Tottenham are level on seven points with Real Madrid in Group ‘H’ after the sides shared a 1-1 draw at Bernabeu earlier this month
London, Oct. 31: Mauricio Pochettino is confident Harry Kane will be fit for Tottenham’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid after the England striker took part in training on Tuesday.
Kane missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester United with a hamstring injury but showed no visible sign of discomfort during a light session at Tottenham’s training base in north London.
The 24-year-old was able to complete some short sprints and basic passing drills while at one point he made a hand gesture appearing to suggest he felt fine.
His return at Wembley on Wednesday would be a huge boost for Tottenham, given Kane has scored five goals in three European games so far.
Pochettino is hopeful Kane will be ready to start against the European champions.
But, perhaps in a bid to keep Madrid guessing, he stopped short of declaring his forward was certain to feature.
“We’re very confident,” Pochettino said.
“He’s on the list. Maybe it’s possible for him to play but I don’t want to say 100 per cent. He trained today but it is important we make the right decision.”
Erik Lamela also trained on Tuesday, with the winger yet to make an appearance since recovering from a hip problem. Lamela has not played since October last year.
Tottenham are level on seven points with Real Madrid in Group H after the sides shared a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu earlier this month.
After losing their last two games against Manchester United in the Premier League and West Ham in the League Cup, Pochettino’s side go into Wednesday’s match aiming to reestablish some momentum. Pochettino called on his Tottenham stars to take the fight to Madrid as they bid for a famous victory. “It’s a good opportunity and a great challenge. I have the belief we can win. I have faith in my players,” he said.
“We must play with freedom and enjoy. We have to show our quality.” KLOPP EYES EURO BOOST Assailed by mounting criticism from frustrated fans, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp needs to mastermind a sustained challenge in the Champions League to keep the doubters at bay.
With Liverpool lagging 12 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City despite Saturday’s 3-0 win over Huddersfield, Klopp could be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief that Slovenian minnows Maribor are the next visitors to Anfield on Wednesday.
Having failed to win a trophy in his two-year reign and already out of the League Cup, Klopp has had to face some awkward questions as Liverpool struggle to get back on track after a spluttering start to the season.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund lost their status as Bundesliga leaders and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stopped scoring, but coach Peter Bosz denies talk of a crisis before Wednesday's Champions League tie against APOEL. —