KANE ’N ABLE
Lions KO but Poch says Harry is OK
MAURICIO POCHETTINO last night insisted Harry Kane is fit for Tottenham’s next game – despite pulling the striker out of TWO England friendlies.
Spurs boss Pochettino revealed his hitman will definitely be available for the clash at Arsenal on Saturday week, saying: “Harry Kane is OK.
“You can see in the last game he received a kick to his knee but he will be available for the next game.”
Pochettino’s prognosis came only two days after Kane was withdrawn from the games against Germany tomorrow and Brazil on Tuesday.
The knee injury picked up in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday was blamed.
Three Lions star Kane had played against Real Madrid in midweek after being an injury doubt. He suffered the knock against Palace in the first half but was not withdrawn until the 77th minute. After the Palace game Pochettino said: “The most important thing is that the national teams, including England, understand the needs of our players and help them so they will be fit when they return here. “The next period of the season is very tough on the players. The Premier
League is a competition you cannot lose too much in.”
Kane said he did not need a break and would never turn down the chance to play for his country.
Last night, the FA insisted Kane was not fit to face Germany or Brazil. Their medical staff were satisfied the games would come too early for him and the FA pointed out he had longer to recover before the showdown against Arsenal.
Coincidentally, all six stars who have pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad are in Champions League action later this month.
Kane was joined on the injured list by his Tottenham team-mates Harry Winks and Dele Alli.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph along with Jordan Henderson of Liverpool also dropped out.
The absence of Kane is a huge blow for Southgate.
The 24-year-old hitman has scored seven goals in his last six internationals and is one of only a handful of players guaranteed to start in Russia next summer.
It gives Southgate a dilemma over his choice of skipper.
Kane was captain for the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in Lithuania last month and fellow crock Henderson has also worn the armband.
It is understood Southgate intends to play Stoke keeper Jack Butland, ruling out Joe Hart, who has captained the Three Lions. Southgate may have to name Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, who he took the captaincy away from in June.