Harry Kane will have a scan on his injured hamstring today fearing that he is set to miss a series of vital Premier League games.
The Spurs striker limped out of his side’s New Year’s Day defeat at Southampton after suffering a hamstring injury in the second half of the disappointing 1-0 loss.
He joins a host of other Premier League stars who have picked up injuries during a frantic festive period, from Calum Chambers at Arsenal to Wesley at Aston Villa, which has raised concerns about the lack of recovery time available in the top-flight.
Kane had initial tests yesterday, including a scan, to determine the extent of his injury. But the outcome of today’s scan is expected to give a definitive diagnosis. Kane, who left St Mary’s on crutches, is understood to be concerned the injury will keep him out for a lengthy period. The best-case scenario for Spurs is that Kane has suffered a grade one tear, which could keep the forward out for just three weeks.
If he has suffered a grade two strain, Kane could miss up to eight weeks. Either way, he faces the prospect of missing important Premier League games as Tottenham try to close the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea.
Following this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough, they face league games against Liverpool, Watford, Norwich, Manchester City and Aston Villa, before the Champions League recommences and they host Red Bull Leipzig on February 16. Kane is desperate to be available for the restart of Tottenham’s European campaign, but with Euro 2020 fast approaching, the England captain knows aggravating the injury could have serious consequences for his international aspirations this summer.
In the meantime, Jose Mourinho faces the challenge of playing key matches without a like-for-like replacement for Kane. Son Heung-min, available again after suspension, could be asked to play as a makeshift centre forward in Kane’s absence. Lucas Moura could be asked to play centrally, while Spurs also have academy striker Troy Parrott in their ranks.
The defeat by Southampton left Spurs five points adrift of Chelsea, but defender Jan Vertonghen is confident the squad can thrive without Kane. ‘Harry is very important for us,’ said Vertonghen. ‘But we have the squad to cope.’ On Kane, Mourinho said: ‘Hamstring is always a negative. Is it a tear? Is it a spasm? Is it a contraction? In this moment I cannot say.’