Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino 'very confident' Harry Kane will face Real Madrid

Posted Wednesday, November 01, 2017 by PA

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has declared himself "very confident" Harry Kane will be fit enough to face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Kane took part in training on Tuesday morning and showed no visible sign of the hamstring injury that kept him out of Saturday's defeat at Manchester United.

The striker was able to complete some short sprints and basic passing drills at Hotspur Way while at one point he made a hand gesture appearing to suggest he felt fine.

"We're very confident," Pochettino said. "He's on the list. Maybe it's possible for him to play but I don't want to say 100 per cent.

"He trained today but it is important we make the right decision."

Kane's return at Wembley would represent a massive boost for Tottenham given the 24-year-old has scored five goals in his three European games so far.

But Pochettino will also be wary of causing further damage, with a north London derby against Arsenal and crunch trip to Borussia Dortmund among their November fixtures.

Jan Vertonghen insists, even without Kane, Spurs can overcome Madrid.

"Harry is a very important player on and off the pitch for this group and having him is always a major boost but definitely we can beat them," Vertonghen said.

"With or without Harry Kane, we go for the win."

Tottenham will be facing a Madrid side wounded by a humbling defeat to Girona on Sunday.

The result left Madrid eight points behind Barcelona in LaLiga, but Zinedine Zidane insists his players are chomping at the bit to prove their doubters wrong.

"After a defeat, of course people aren't happy, but in some ways I actually like this," Zidane said.

"I like having the motivation of a big match so we can get back to winning ways. This is something that inspires me.

"When the going gets tough I think I work my best. Life is like this, there are always hard moments, but you have to trust in the way you work and come back stronger."

Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas and Raphael Varane will all miss the match at Wembley. Madrid might also be without Isco, who has a thigh problem.

Tottenham and Madrid drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu last month. The teams sit level on seven points each at the top of Group H.