Harry Kane could return before the end of the season after Jose Mourinho revealed the Tottenham Hotspur forward is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The England captain was ruled out for an extended period after suffering a torn hamstring in the defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day, the extent of Kane’s injury raising doubts over his participation at this summer’s European Championship.
The 26-year-old’s absence has also left Spurs short of attacking depth and the club have been forced to play without a recognised forward in recent fixtures, the loss of the talisman a huge blow to the north London side’s hopes of securing a top four finish.
Despite initially expecting Kane to miss the majority of the remainder of the season, Mourinho has revealed he is now hopeful the forward could return ahead of schedule and play his part in a potentially defining run-in.
“I would say he is a little bit ahead. It gives me a hope that instead of (being fit for) one or two matches, three, four, five,” he said at his Friday afternoon press conference.
“Just speculating a bit, the feelings are good. He is doing what he can do at this stage but always with a good feeling. Everything is going well.
“When he was injured I said ‘forget him’, then I said ‘one or two games’. At this moment I have better hopes than that, hopefully that feeling is right and he can help us in the last few games of the season.”
“He’s obviously a great pro and a fighter and wants to be back as soon as possible. But what is that soon as possible? I don’t know.”
Mourinho also added that he is hopeful of having Son Heung-min back before the end of the season, the South Korean currently sidelined after suffering a fractured arm in the win over Aston Villa earlier this month.
The forward has undergone an operation and will follow ‘government advice’ to stay indoors after travelling to Seoul for the procedure, though there are no concerns over the 27-year-old’s health amid the outbreak of the coronavirus in many parts of Asia.
“I cannot imagine when (Son Heung-min will be back) but there is a good possibility that before the end of the season we have Harry and Son playing together.”
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