Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Harry Kane is a doubt for their FA Cup clash with Rochdale on Sunday after picking up a few knocks against Juventus, and admitted that winger Lucas Moura is likely to start.
Pochettino was speaking at the pre-match press conference and confirmed the massive news that Kane is a doubt, with Fernando Llorente his likely replacement, and speed machine Moura also starting.
Football.London Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold quoted him on Twitter on Friday:
Poch refused to talk about Toby Alderweireld 'rumours'. He said Lucas Moura is likely to start on Sunday and Fernando Llorente could start as Harry Kane took a few knocks on Tuesday night. But he's not worried about him for the Palace match next week.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) February 16, 2018
Kane was one of Spurs’ heroes against the Italian champions, scoring their first goal as they came back from being 2-0 down within nine minutes to snatch a deserved draw.
The striker ran on to a pinpoint through ball from Dele Alli, and rounded the onrushing Gianluigi Buffon to slot home and bring Spurs back into the game.
Christian Eriksen then completed their comeback with a clever free-kick that caught Buffon out at his near post, and Spurs now head into the second leg at Wembley with two crucial away goals.
Attentions now turn to League One strugglers Rochdale, who have laid down a new pitch after complaints from Pochettino and Spurs about the state of their playing surface.
OPINION
The loss of Kane is obviously a blow, but the star man was possibly to be rested anyway this weekend. His work load this season has been typically high, and the last thing that Spurs want is an injury to Kane. Llorente has not been very impressive when deputising for Kane this season, but he should still be given the chance to show what he can do on Sunday. The news that Moura is likely to start is exciting too for Spurs fans, who are yet to get a real look at their new signing.