Poch fears for Kane as star sent for scan
ENGLAND and Tottenham have suffered a serious scare after Harry Kane injured the same right ankle that has caused the Premier League’s joint-top scorer problems in the past.
Kane left Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot and will be sent for a scan today to determine whether it is ligament damage as suspected.
Ahead of the international break and with big clashes coming up for Spurs, including an FA Cup quarter-final at Swansea and a Premier League meeting with Chelsea, it is a huge concern.
Kane got his foot caught under Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic during Tottenham’s 4-1 win after half an hour and went down the tunnel, throwing a water bottle in frustration.
The injury appeared almost identical to the one that ruled Kane out for around a month this time last year, with the striker telling friends last night that it felt similar.
‘I hope, we hope, it is not a massive issue but we need to wait,’ Pochettino said. ‘We will scan his ankle. He suffered an injury to the same ankle he suffered before.
‘He felt like when he landed and twisted his ankle that it was impossible to stay on the pitch. We cannot decide or say absolutely anything because we don’t know what is going on with his ankle. Harry has a great character and is always positive. He is positive.’
Speaking on television, Pochettino added: ‘I am concerned until tomorrow. We can say nothing more. Of course I worry about him.’
The injury to Kane comes with Gareth Southgate set to name his next England squad on Thursday at 2pm.
The England hierarchy will check in with Tottenham today but as of last night, it looked unlikely that the 24-yearold will be able to face Holland or Italy in the friendlies this month.
Kane has a history of injuries to his right ankle. In September 2016, he was taken off on a stretcher during a game against Sunderland and did not return until November, missing 10 games for Spurs.
It was this time last year when he hurt his ankle during an FA Cup win over Millwall, sidelining him for four weeks.
Tottenham had to come from behind without Kane yesterday, with Son Heungmin scoring twice and Dele Alli and Serge Aurier getting the other goals.
Alli was also forced off with an apparent groin problem, though Pochettino allayed fears by saying it did not appear to be a big issue. ‘We need to, in the next week, manage him,’ Pochettino said. ‘I don’t believe he will be a big problem.’
On Danny Rose, who was replaced by Kieran Trippier in the second half, he added: ‘No injury, only fatigue and he got a knock.’
Meanwhile, Bournemouth felt aggrieved that they had a goal disallowed when Callum Wilson was judged to have pushed Davinson Sanchez in the back by referee Mike Dean. That would have made it 2-2 at the Vitality Stadium but Tottenham went on to score twice and win.
‘I think it is a very, very soft call from the referee,’ Eddie Howe complained. ‘If there is any contact it is minimal. At 2-1 down that has a huge bearing on the result.’