Tottenham can cope without Harry Kane at Man Utd, says Mauricio Pochettino
Saturday 28 October 2017 11:18, UK
Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham can cope without Harry Kane as they prepare to take on Manchester United without the injured forward.
The England international will miss the trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Main Event from 11.30am, having sustained a hamstring strain in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Liverpool.
Kane has been in sensational form this season, netting 17 goals for club and country, but Pochettino has backed his players to step up in the absence of the 24-year-old.
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"I always believe we can win with one or another team, with one or another player," he said.
Pochettino added: "We don't need to prove ourselves, that we're Tottenham. Maybe people expect that but for us, no. I think last season, in the period he was injured, you can see the stats and the games we played - win and lose with Harry, win and lose without Harry.
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"I'm disappointed because he is our main striker and I think he is one of the best strikers in Europe, in the world, and always you are going to miss your best striker. I am not silly or stupid to talk in a different way.'
"You always want all the players available...we always believe in collective, the squad. During the season, problems happen and you must trust all the players, all the squad.
"We have played without Harry before. We have Fernando [Llorente] and if you remember last season when Harry was out for many games we played with [Heung-min] Son. It's about finding the best solution and balance for the team."
Pochettino also added that he was hopeful Kane could be fit in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League at Wembley on Wednesday.
"It's a minor injury, very small, but we cannot take a risk for tomorrow," he said.
"We will see after for Wednesday and Real Madrid, but for tomorrow, it's impossible.
"Always you want all players available, but it is a problem. Play more or play less? Because it is most important that they are all available and fit."
