Pochettino urges England boss to be cautious with Kane

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino urged caution with striker Harry Kane during the international break after his side signed off by scraping a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Kane needed treatment on his ankle and was eventually substituted after the interval in his side’s win at Wembley which moved Tottenham level on points with second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League.

While Kane did not appear to have a serious problem but Pochettino, who was without injured midfielder Dele Alli, French keeper Hugo Lloris and Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, appeared worried by the demands on the England hitman.

Alli was pulled out of England’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Brazil while midfielder Harry Winks is also a doubt after turning his ankle against Palace and being substituted at halftime.

With a north London derby against Arsenal looming, Pochettino said he hoped England manager Gareth Southgate would go easy on Tottenham’s leading striker.

“It’s a difficult situation for everyone,” Pochettino told reporters. “For us, we are focusing on our problems and our injuries but I also understand completely what the national team wants and needs.

“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,” he added.

“All you can do is have good communication and explain the situation of everyone and then trust them. I subbed (Kane) to protect him after Real Madrid last Wednesday. It was such an emotional game and it is better to avoid a risk.” Reuters