Lucas Moura lets slip Harry Kane will return against Ajax

Wayne Farry

The (man-sized) cat is out of the bag, kinda

When Harry Kane was substituted off during Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League quarter-final first leg victory over Manchester City, it was feared that his fifth ankle injury in four years would leave him ruled out for the remainder of the season.

His manager, Mauricio Pochettino, said earlier this week that there is little chance of the England striker returning to the Spurs’ team before their potential Champions League final against one of Liverpool or Barcelona, but insisted that he is making good progress.

“He is doing well, he started to run a little bit inside,” said Pochettino.

“His rehab is so good but we cannot create an idea that afterwards we cannot achieve.

“He is good, he is in a good place, he is so focused and we will see what happens.”

But recent comments from his teammate Lucas Moura suggest that there might be a chance, if only an outside one.

Asked about how much Spurs would miss the suspended Son Heung-min in the first leg of their semi-final with Ajax, the Brazilian international said that he was looking forward to having the South Korean back, as well as discussing the potential return of Kane.

“To have him (Son) in the second game and we hope Harry Kane, as well, recovers quick,” said the former Paris Saint-Germain man, alluding to Kane perhaps returning to the side ahead of schedule.

On talkSPORT, pundit Tony Cascarino claimed he had heard that Kane would indeed be back for the second leg.

“I’m told that Harry will be back for the second leg of the Champions League game, Ajax away,” he said.

“I’m told they have a real chance of him making it. They will need Harry against Ajax.”

A recent Instagram post by Kane showed that he was out of his protective footwear and appeared to be walking pain free, as he posted a photograph of himself and his daughter in the park.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane's ankle seems to be OK… 👀 pic.twitter.com/MDreuIjfwe

— Daily Hotspur (@Daily_Hotspur) April 28, 2019

Another potential hit regarding Kane’s involvement came thanks to a tweet from opponents Ajax on Tuesday afternoon, which featured Kane’s shirt and shorts – featuring his number – inside the home side’s dressing room.