Tottenham Hotspur manager José Mourinho has admitted that he is uncertain just how bad striker Harry Kane's hamstring injury is, but confessed that it does not look good.
Kane limped off the field during the second half of Spurs' 1-0 loss to Southampton on Wednesday, leaving his side without a recognised striker as Érik Lamela was brought on in his place.
Spurs have no senior alternative in the squad, with 17-year-old Troy Parrott the only other striker available, and Mourinho confessed (via football.london) that he is eager to find out just how badly Kane has been injured.
“I think it’s negative. For Harry to come out is negative,” the boss said. “Hamstring is always a negative. Is it a tear? Is it a small thing? Is it a spasm? Is it a contraction? In this moment I cannot say.”
While Parrott may see an increase in minutes as a result of Kane's absence, it seems likely that either Son Heung-min or Lucas Moura will be shifted to striker as Spurs look to cope without their captain.
Kane has already bagged 17 goals since the start of the campaign, so losing him will come as a huge blow to Spurs, who find themselves six points behind in the race for Champions League qualification.
The lack of a reserve striker has long been suggested as one of Spurs' biggest concerns. Mourinho is thought to be keen to address that as soon as possible, with Fenerbahçe striker Vedat Muriqi understood to be in their sights.
Kane's injury could force Spurs to accelerate their plans to find a new striker, so it would not come as a surprise to see a new face come through the door at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January.
Defeat against Southampton means Spurs remain sixth in the Premier League table, but they could drop down to seventh if Sheffield United can pick up a stunning victory against league leaders Liverpool on Thursday.
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Source : 90min