Mauricio Pochettino has suggested Harry Kane could start in Sunday’s derby against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The striker has been out with ankle ligament damage since the middle of September and he has been expected to make his comeback in the Arsenal game.
Earlier in the week, Pochettino was more inclined to use Kane as a substitute but he returned to full training on Thursday and it was clear he had given his manager something to think about.
“Harry will be in the squad,” Pochettino said. “I can confirm he will be available to be selected. I need to decide whether to start him or put him on the bench. I am happy after Thursday. He had a very good training session. He is fit.
“Always, Harry is important. In the last two seasons, he has been very important for us – he was the top scorer in the Premier League. It’s very good news. It’s good that he will be back.”
Kane has scored in each of the previous three Premier League derbies against Arsenal – including two in the 2-1 home win in February 2015. His return stands to offer an emotional fillip and Pochettino said there was no risk attached to Kane’s involvement.
“It’s not a risk to play him,” Pochettino said. “I have been at the club for two-and-a-half years and we always try to avoid any risks. If Harry is on pitch or on the bench, it’s because we’re sure it’s not a risk to play him. In football, you can’t avoid all the risk because it’s a contact sport, but if the doctor said he is available to be selected, it’s because there is no risk of injury.”
Pochettino said Toby Alderweireld would miss the derby while he continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Erik Lamela is also out with a hip injury. Mousa Dembélé is a doubt after twisting his ankle in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. He will be assessed on Saturday.
