Sports

Big blow for Tottenham: Pochettino confirms Kane ankle injury

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Harry Kane suffered a twisted ankle against Juventus in the Champions League last Tuesday.

Kane scored in Tottenham’s exhilarating comeback in Turin to draw 2-2 with the two-time holders of the competition.

The player now looks set to miss Tottenham’s fifth-round tie against Rochdale on Sunday through injury and is in a race to be in contention to face Crystal Palace next week.

Kane injured

The club are set to assess the 24-year-old on Saturday, with Pochettino admitting Spurs could be without their talisman on Sunday.

In his place, striker Fernando Llorente looks set to be handed a spot in Pochettino’s starting eleven, despite the player having struggled to leave his mark at Tottenham so far.

Pochettino confirmed:

Harry suffered a knock.

Of course, there is the possibility we will start with Fernando.

He twisted his ankle and received a knock. We need to assess him tomorrow.

If he is fit maybe he has the possibility to play if he is not 100 percent he could be on the bench or maybe half an hour or 20 minutes.

We need to assess him tomorrow to see if he is possible for the squad.”

Pochettino on Kane facing Crystal Palace on 26 February:

“We are not worried but we need to take care.”

Rochdale vs Tottenham: FA Cup fifth-round preview

Rochdale are currently sat bottom of League One, quite a contrast to Spurs’ previous opposition Juventus, who had reached two out of the last three Champions League finals…

To set up this massive tie with Tottenham Hotspur, the Dale have overcome challenges from Bromley, Slough Town, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall.

Having gone to the Den in the previous round, punching above their weight to earn a replay, which they won, Rochdale have proven they are capable of producing an upset.

Tottenham concluded their nightmare run of fixtures in Turin on Tuesday, in a period in which they flourished, managing to defeat Manchester United and Arsenal, whilst earning draws away both Liverpool and Juventus.

The North Londoners’ knocked out AFC Wimbledon and Newport County at Wembley to reach the FA Cup fifth-round at Spotland this Sunday.