Spurs wait for swelling to subside on Kane’s ankle before scan
Tottenham will wait for swelling to go down on Harry Kane’s ankle injury before being able to find out the full extent of it.
Kane suffered the problem in the final stages of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United and manager Mauricio Pochettino conceded he was a worried man.
“Of course if Harry Kane suffers an injury it would be a massive problem for us. That is my worry, that is our worry,” Pochettino told Sky Sports.
“It was a bad tackle in the last moment from a Manchester United player. It wasn’t an intention, but it was a bad tackle.
It is the third successive season that Kane has sustained an ankle injury, the most recent one keeping him out for a fortnight in March.
The England captain was injured after being caught in the middle of Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof as Spurs chased an equaliser against United.
He received treatment after the full-time whistle before walking off the Wembley pitch extremely gingerly.
Any lengthy absence for Kane would leave Spurs short of attacking options ahead of an important part of the season. Son Heung-min headed for the airport immediately after the match and arrived in the UAE on international duty with South Korea for the Asian Cup. Lucas Moura is also injured while Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen are expected to leave the club this month.
Defender Jan Vertonghen is backing his teammates to provide cover for Kane and Son. “We have to assess the other cases as well but these two guys are just massive for us,” he said. “We’ve got other great players. They’re also vital for us but we hope they’ll both be back soon.”
Kane’s possible spell out compounds what has been an extraordinary season of injuries for Spurs.
Vertonghen, who himself has missed 17 games with two separate injuries, says it is “crazy” how Spurs have been able to challenge for the Premier League title up until Sunday’s defeat.
The injuries were bad “especially at the beginning of the season,” he said. “In the last couple of weeks it was OK.
“I’m sure other teams have had injuries but we’ve had a couple more,” Vertonghen said. “It’s crazy. But it’s a shame, obviously. It’s one of those things but that’s why we have the other guys, the other guys have to stand up now.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are investigating a reported incident of racist abuse against Son during the defeat to Manchester United.
A season-ticket holder has contacted the club after witnessing the alleged abuse, accusing stewards of not intervening and then claiming to be abused by the perpetrator.
Spurs, who say they take all allegations seriously, will work with the supporter to investigate. A Tottenham supporter was recently handed a four-year banning order after throwing a banana skin at Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.