Tottenham vs Bayer Leverkusen - Harry Kane to miss Leverkusen game

Posted Wednesday, November 02, 2016 by PA

Harry Kane could return against Arsenal on Sunday but the Tottenham striker will not be ready to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Kane has been out for just over six weeks after injuring ligaments in his right ankle but the 23-year-old was involved in first-team training both on Monday and Tuesday.

He only did half-sessions with the rest of the squad, however, before separately completing a specific recovery programme on his own. Kane is expected to take part in full training again on Thursday.

Mauricio Pochettino said his top striker will not feature against Leverkusen at Wembley on Wednesday but left open the possibility of a north London derby return at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

"Tomorrow, no, not on the bench," Pochettino said.

"It's good because you can see him today warming up with the team to be involved in some exercises. But no, for tomorrow he is not ready.

"Sunday? Maybe, maybe."

Toby Alderweireld has also missed the last four matches with a leg injury and Pochettino appeared less optimistic about the defender's chances of featuring this week.

Pochettino at one stage hoped Alderweireld would play against Leicester last Saturday but the Argentinian admits there have been some "slight problems" with his rehabilitation.

The Belgian was seen stretching on his own in the gym at Tottenham's training ground on Tuesday before later completing some sprint exercises separately from the rest of the squad.

Erik Lamela has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the squad against Leicester but is still a doubt to face Leverkusen after feeling a problem in his hip on Tuesday.

Kane's comeback will be a timely boost for Tottenham, who have struggled for form and fluency since demolishing Manchester City so impressively last month.

Spurs have failed to score from open play in their last four matches and cannot afford a slip-up against Leverkusen, who sit third and only a point behind them in Group E.

"It's important to win. Leverkusen is a very good team with very good players. I think it will be tough," Pochettino said.

"We need to be more clinical in our offensive situation. We need to be determined and aggressive in the last third.

"It's true that the last few weeks after the international break it was difficult for us to score. We are creating the same chances as before.

"But it's true that our percentage was poor in front of goal. We are working on that."

Manager Roger Schmidt will also make a late decision on centre backs Jonathan Tah and Omer Toprak, who have minor muscle injuries.

Tottenham dominated the first half in the reverse fixture in Germany last month but Leverkusen were far stronger in the second period, with only some brilliant Hugo Lloris goalkeeping keeping the score goalless.

"I think when we came out in the second half we showed more ambition, more aggression and played on the front foot," Schmidt said.

"This is the best way play to play a team like Tottenham, who are very good at pressing and winning the ball and changing defence to attack.

"Tomorrow we'll look to approach the game in a similar fashion to that second half."