TOTTENHAM boss Jose Mourinho has blamed England friendlies for Harry Kane’s hamstring injury – despite the national side not playing any since June 2018.
The Londoners were rocked in the week when it was revealed the lethal frontman is out until April and requires surgery.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has blamed England participation for Harry Kane’s injuryCredit: Reuters
The 25-year-old hobbled off during the shock 1-0 defeat away at Southampton on New Year’s Day.
There are now doubts as to whether Kane will be fit for England’s Euro 2020 campaign, with the Three Lions’ first game on June 14 against Croatia.
And Spurs boss Mourinho has laid the blame for the injury squarely at the door of Gareth Southgate and the national team and his man’s appearance in “friendlies”
This is despite Kane not actually starting a friendly for the Three Lions since June 2, 2018.
FRIENDLY FIRE
Speaking ahead of Spurs’ mouthwatering home clash against Liverpool, Mourinho said: “If he played too many matches, they were the national team friendlies.”
He started in a 2-1 win against Nigeria 18 months ago, scoring in the 39th minute before being replaced by Danny Welbeck on 73 minutes.
This season Kane has started in six England qualifiers – all of which ended up in easy win’s for Southgate’s troops.
He has played a total of 31 games already this season.
And Mourinho has dismissed the notion that Kane could have been rested from Spurs duty this campaign.
SPURS TOOTHLESS
He added: “Give him a break to play who?
“No, not really. Apart from Burnley, when we won with a substantial difference, every game was tight and so difficult.
“No conditions to leave such an important and unique player out.”
Kane has scored 17 goals in 25 games in all competitions for Spurs this season.
The news presented another headache for Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, who has also seen midfielder Moussa Sissoko sidelined until April after undergoing knee surgery.
Spurs also have first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris recovering from injury, along with summer signing Tanguy Ndombele as well as full-back pairing Danny Rose and Ben Davies.
Kane will now also miss England’s friendlies against Italy and Denmark at the end of March.
Jose Mourinho bemoans Tottenham injury crisis as he claims Son Hueng-min can’t replace crocked captain Harry Kane
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
