Could be Clinton N’Jie’s time to step up for Spurs as Pochettino considers resting Kane

Mauricio Pochettino is preparing to wrap Harry Kane in cotton wool to prevent a striker injury crisis at Tottenham Hotspur.

The England international could sit out Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Anderlecht after Pochettino revealed he suffered a knock in the weekend’s draw with Liverpool.

With Son Heung-min and Nacer Chadli already sidelined, Pochettino is running short of attacking options and is therefore contemplating resting Kane – despite the striker travelling to Belgium with the rest of the squad.

Kane has only scored once for Spurs this season after his impressive breakthrough campaign last year but is still seen as vital to Pochettino’s hopes, and the Argentinian is ready to take his main man out of the firing line to prevent any aggravation of his issue – with summer recruit Clinton N’Jie his likely replacement.

“Yes maybe,” Pochettino replied when asked if he was thinking of resting Kane.

“We have Son and Nacer Chadli who can play as a striker and N’Jie and Kane today available. We need to assess because at the end of the game against Liverpool, Harry had a small problem. He had a knock, not an injury.

“It is possible he will start on the bench, as normal we need to manage in a good way and assess and analyse every little detail. The player always wants to play. Afterwards I decide if the player is wrong.”

N’Jie has yet to start a game since his summer arrival from Lyon and has not scored a goal for his new club.

With fellow new recruit Son missing with a foot problem, Pochettino is looking light on attacking options – but insists any thoughts of further additions in the winter transfer window are far from his mind.

“Before January, Chadli and Son will be back,” he added.

“Today is too far to January to decide – Son maybe three weeks maximum and Chadli maybe four, five or six.

“We have other players in the squad and we believe in all players. It is not a big problem. If we arrive in January and we believe we need to sign some players we will decide. Today I’m happy with the squad we have.”

Victory in Belgium would put Spurs in prime position to qualify from Group J, having taken four points from their opening two fixtures.

They face Anderlecht, the team they beat on penalties to win the Uefa Cup in 1984, with defender Ben Davies keen for another famous year in the club’s history.

“Its very important for us,” he said of the Europa League.

“It is a big opportunity for us to do as well as we can and hopefully pick up a trophy at the end of the season. We know that the rewards are there if we do go far in this competition.”

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