Kane will March on after KO blow
Boro boss out to extend Spurs’ trophy drought
JONATHAN WOODGATE can’t believe Tottenham haven’t won a trophy since he scored the winner against Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup Final – with his nose.
But much as he wants his former club to flourish under Jose Mourinho, the Middlesbrough boss is plotting an upset at the Riverside tomorrow to prolong Spurs’ trophy drought.
Woodgate spent three years at White Hart Lane and won his only honour there, scoring a last-gasp winner in unorthodox style as Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley.
He said: “It was the best goal I’ve ever scored with my nose!
“Jermaine Jenas was lining one up and I just thought I’d get a run on Didier Drogba. I was brave, stuck my head in there and it went in. Lucky really.
“It was a dream come true and the celebrations were a bit of a blur. That was the only thing I won, which is obviously something I look back on with a bit of regret, considering the teams I played in.”
Woodgate can’t wait to pit his wits against Mourinho but remains mystified his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino failed to add to Spurs’ trophy haul.
“I thought they’d have won something under him,” added the Boro boss. “He did an amazing job and to get them to the Champions League Final was unbelievable.
“I’m sure something is on the horizon with Mourinho because he is a serial winner but obviously I want us to beat them.”
When the third-round draw was made last month Boro were rank outsiders.
But over the festive period they have won four on the trot, including an eye-catching victory at high-flying West Brom.
The feel-good factor at the Riverside has been fuelled by the arrival of loan signings Patrick (below)
Roberts and Lukas Nmecha from Manchester City.
The pair have endured frustrating spells at Norwich and Wolfsburg during the first half of the campaign but Woodgate is excited about having the two forwards on Teesside, and both could both feature tomorrow.
He added: “I am sure Patrick and Lukas had untold options but they chose Boro and City were happy for them to come.
“That is good for this club and hopefully we can build that relationship with them.
“I have followed Patrick since he was a kid at Fulham, then he signed for City before heading for Celtic, where he was top drawer.
“He didn’t play many minutes at Norwich but I’ve always thought he’s a brilliant player.”
HARRY KANE remains defiant, despite fears he could be out until March with a torn hamstring.
Tottenham confirmed yesterday that the England skipper, 26, injured his left hamstring against Southampton on
New Year’s Day.
A statement said: “We can confirm that Harry Kane suffered a tear in his left hamstring during our fixture against Southampton.
“Our medical staff will continue to review the injury with treatment ongoing.”
The striker (inset) reacted with a message on Twitter that read: “Head up. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho had earlier admitted that he feared bad news was on the way.
The club have not revealed the full extent of the injury.
But if it is a serious grade three tear, he could be out until at least March.
Mourinho said: “I think we’re going to lose him for some period. “Everybody knows who he is, what he is, what he means for the team, the fans, the club.
“But I don’t want to be crying here all the time, I want to focus now on the players available.” Mourinho is likely to use Heung-min Son as his main striker for tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough.
But Mourinho played down the possibility of bringing in more cover, adding: “We have what we have. That’s the squad that started pre-season, the one we have for the season.”