OPINION
Tottenham fans will surely be relieved and excited in equal measure following the news that striker Harry Kane will reportedly be fit for the Champions League final.
The Spurs talisman has not featured since injuring his ankle in the first leg of the quarter-final tie with Manchester City, but according to the Evening Standard, Kane is certain he will be part of the 23-man squad to make the final.
If Kane is to make an impact in Madrid, it will be made without match fitness. But that will surely not bother Tottenham fans one bit. A fit but not match fit Kane is far better than no Kane at all.
However, it has to be said that in the absence of Kane, Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura have stepped up remarkably well.
The former was vital over both legs against City in April, with his goal in the first leg – the only one of the game – being followed up by two more in North London which kept Spurs in the tie.
Moura was the sole architect of Spurs’ progression into the final, scoring a second-half hat-trick in incredible fashion to dump Ajax out of the competition on away goals.
But aside from Moura and Son, Kane will always be a class above. He is that good. He has suffered two ankle injuries this term – the one against City was preceded by another – and, despite that, he has still had a remarkable season.
In 39 appearances, he has managed 24 goals, including 17 in 28 Premier League appearances.
In the Champions League, he has been even more effective, netting five times in eight games. That is the kind of form that Spurs need in the final if they are to get past a Liverpool side eager to forget last year’s defeat to Real Madrid.