Harry Kane admits he is not 100% fit as Mauricio Pochettino considers Vincent Janssen option
KEY POINTS
- The 22-year-old looked off the pace in Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday.
- Janssen came off the bench to make his Premier League debut in the second half.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane admits he is still not 100% fit, with Mauricio Pochettino open to the possibility of starting Vincent Janssen ahead of him against Crystal Palace.
Following England's nightmare Euro 2016 campaign, Kane returned to training three weeks ago after his summer break but did not make the trip to Australia for the club's pre-season tour. As a result, the 22-year-old played in just friendly game before being named in the starting XI for the club's Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday (13 August), a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
After a draining campaign with England in France where he failed to score in any of their four games, Kane is determined to put a disappointing summer behind him and insists he is training hard to ensure his is back to his peak level soon.
"It was not the way we wanted it to go but that is football," Kane said, ESPN report. "That has to go to the back of your mind and I am focused on the Premier League season. I feel fit and ready to go. We are training hard, getting fitter every week, so I'm looking forward to the games ahead."
He added: "I'm probably still not 100%. I had one preseason game and today. We are training hard and I am sure it will not be long before we are fully match fit."
Kane struggled in the draw at Goodison Park with Erik Lamela coming up with the equaliser to rescue a point for Spurs. Summer signings Vincent Janssen also made his league debut in the second half as Pochettino strayed away from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation and opted for two up front.
Last season, Kane carried much of the goal scoring burden as the only centre forward in the Spurs squad. Janssen now offers an alternative option and Pochettino is keeping his options open ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday, suggesting he could rest Kane and hand the Netherlands international his full debut.
"Harry needs to be ready for every game and it is my decision whether he players or not," Pochettino told The Times. "But I am open too. It is about performance. Maybe they can play together or maybe we can play Vincent or Harry."
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