Harry Kane will not be available for Tottenham’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Ajax next week, according to assistant manager Jesus Perez.
The England captain has been sidelined since the first leg of the quarter final against Manchester City with ankle ligament damage, but Perez has ruled out any chance of him featuring in the tie against the Dutch giants.
As reported by Dan Kilpatrick, however, Mauricio Pochettino did reveal that Kane has started running indoors again.
#thfc Poch’s assistant Jesus Perez tells him Kane has ‘no chance’ of being fit for the second leg vs Ajax.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) April 29, 2019
But Poch confirms Kane has started running indoors and says his rehab is going well. Still no timeframe on recovery.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) April 29, 2019
OPINION
This is a really disappointing blow for Spurs. Realistically Kane will not have been expected to feature in this one, but the fact that he seems to come back quicker and quicker from his ankle injuries will have filled many fans with hope. There is no doubt that he would certainly be a huge asset to Mauricio Pochettino’s side against a club who have caused some serious upsets so far this season. Kane is the kind of player who can win a game singlehandedly, and even if he isn’t at his best, or even at full fitness, he can really impact games for the better with a single moment of magic. Taking that out of the equation will undoubtedly make things harder, but Spurs should take some comfort from the improved form of Fernando Llorente, Lucas Moura, and especially Son Heung-min, who has really stepped up to the plate this season in Kane’s absence.