HARRY PAIN
Ace out for 7 weeks
HARRY KANE has handed Tottenham a massive headache after being ruled out for at least seven weeks.
Kane’s worst fears were realised yesterday when a scan revealed the England captain suffered ankle ligament damage in Sunday’s defeat by Manchester United.
He was on crutches and in a protective boot when he visited a top Harley Street clinic in London and is not expected back in training until March.
Promised
Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge was already in jeopardy after they suffered their sixth defeat of the season against United, but Kane’s injury may have ended it.
Spurs are nine points behind leaders Liverpool but it is not just key league games that the talismanic 25-year-old will miss.
But Kane promised fans in a tweet: “Injuries are part of the game but no-one will be working harder to get back fit. Thanks for the messages.”
Kane was always likely to be rested
for the FA Cup fourthround clash at Crystal Palace at the end of the month.
But Tottenham’s 20-goal top scorer will now be absent for both legs of the Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund.
He will also miss next month’s Carabao Cup final if Spurs see off Chelsea a week tomorrow.
Tottenham immediately took Fernando Llorente off the transfer list when Kane went down and were already weighing up a loan move for versatile Barcelona misfit Malcom.
And they could be forced to make an even bigger splash in the market with Heung-min Son away at the Asian Cup and fellow striker Lucas Moura still recovering from injury.
Kane’s injury is also potentially a problem for England, who face Czech Republic on March 22 and Montenegro on March 25 in Euro 2020 qualifiers.