Anderlecht vs Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino ponders keeping Harry Kane out of the firing line

Spurs boss may rest star striker

(Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino may rest Harry Kane for Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League tie with Anderlecht tonight after claiming that the forward had taken a knock against Liverpool last weekend.

Kane is Spurs’ only senior centre-forward and, as both Son Heung-min and Nacer Chadli, who Pochettino believes can play through the middle, are injured, the manager cannot afford to take any risks with Kane.

The Argentine was keen to play down concerns about Kane’s fitness, saying the 22-year-old did not have an actual injury. He started last night’s training session as normal and his fitness was due to be monitored throughout. But the risk of losing Kane for a significant period could persuade Pochettino to leave him out of the starting XI.

Asked if Kane might be named only among the substitutes, Pochettino said: “Yes, maybe. We need to assess it because at the end of the game against Liverpool, Harry had a small problem. It was a knock, not an injury.

“It is possible he will start on the bench. As usual we need to manage the situation in a good way and analyse every detail. The player always wants to play. Afterwards I decide whether he will. Both Son and Chadli are out with injuries and today we have Kane and Clinton N’Jie available.”

Spurs have not won away from home in Europe for nearly a year but if they can beat Anderlecht here and again at White Hart Lane on 5 November, qualification for the knockout stages would be virtually secured.

With London derbies against Arsenal, West Ham United and Chelsea next month, and a heavy load of fixtures in December, Pochettino knows his squad will be stretched to the limit.

Spurs tried and failed to sign Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion during the summer transfer window and Pochettino hinted that they would try again to bring in a striker in January, to ease the burden Kane is carrying.

The Spurs coach said: “It is difficult with the Europa League and the Premier League in November and December. In England you always play a lot of games. Son will be out for three weeks maximum and Chadli maybe for four, five, six. They will both be back before January but if we get there and we believe we need to sign some players, we will decide.”

Defender Kyle Walker has not travelled to Belgium but Ryan Mason is back in the squad after recovering from a knee injury.