Kane vows to come back ‘stronger than ever’ after injury setback

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has vowed to come back “stronger than ever” after his latest injury setback.

Kane suffered his fifth ankle problem in two-and-a-half years and second of 2019 during his side’s 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Manchester City on Tuesday.

The England captain is expected to have a scan on Thursday, but boss Mauricio Pochettino is concerned that Kane’s season could be over.

Kane tweeted: “Gutted to go off injured but every setback is a chance to come back stronger than ever.

“Big finish from the boys to go on and win!”

Spurs were drawing 0-0 when Kane twisted his ankle during a challenge with Three Lions team-mate Fabian Delph.

It immediately looked serious as Kane was unable to put any weight on his left foot and was helped down the tunnel, later leaving the ground on crutches and with the joint in a brace.

Pochettino admitted that the injury could well end the England striker’s season, which would be a massive blow to the club’s hopes of Champions League progression and also qualification for next year, with Spurs still locked in a top-four battle.

The Argentinian said after the game: “It is so painful. We hope it is not a big issue and try to recover as soon as possible but it doesn’t look good.”

England manager Gareth Southgate is also likely to be on the phone to see whether his captain will be available for the UEFA Nations League finals in June.

Kane is getting used to beginning the rehabilitation process as this is his fifth ankle injury in two-and-a-half years and comes just six weeks after his return from his previous one.

The Spurs talisman appears susceptible to ligament damage whenever he rolls or impacts his ankle in a challenge, though he does have an impressive recovery rate.

In each of the last three incidents Kane recovered ahead of schedule and earlier this year – aided by a spell in the Bahamas – he returned two weeks before expected.

• September - November 2016 - 10 games
• March - April 2017 - 3 games
• March - April 2018 - 1 games
• January - February 2019 - 7 games

That will give Spurs hope, but Pochettino will have to prepare to be without his top scorer for the remainder of the season.

Spurs will look to Son Heung-min to step into the spotlight and the South Korean did not take long to do it as he hit the winner in the 1-0 win against City after Kane went off.

Son took centre stage during Kane’s last absence, scoring four goals in four games, while Fernando Llorente is highly likely to get a run out against already-relegated Huddersfield on Saturday.