Spurs’ Kane pain: What are Pochettino’s options?

Tottenham talisman is out for six weeks

After a brief glimpse at a Premier League title tilt, Tottenham Hotspur might find themselves at the front of a fierce four-way scrap for a Champions League place.

And the North London club, still struggling to open their new stadium, must go through a crucial phase of the campaign without their star man.

Harry Kane has been ruled out until March, after suffering an ankle injury from a late Phil Jones tackle in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The England international missed just one game last season, and played every match of the 2015-16 campaign. Spurs rely heavily on their number 10 and on paper, boss Mauricio Pochettino has few alternatives to call upon in Kane’s absence.

But Kane missed eight games of the 2016-17 season, so it’s not the first time Mo Po has had to turn to Plan B.

What Poch did then

Spurs didn’t lose any of those eight games without Kane two seasons ago.

In his absence, Pochettino alternated between Son Heung-Min and Vincent Janssen in Kane’s place.

With five wins (including a 2-0 success over Manchester City) and three draws, Son and Janssen ensured Spurs didn’t suffer.

Why it won’t work now

But that won’t work this time around. Janssen has been cast aside by the club in the last 18 months.

He hasn’t played for the Whites since August 2017, and even though he has returned from injury, Pochettino has reportedly declared he has no intention of using the Dutchman while Kane recovers.