Pochettino Confirms Fresh Blow: Key Tottenham Star A Fitness Doubt To Face Arsenal

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Harry Kane is a doubt to start against Arsenal tonight after missing training on Tuesday with a cold.

Kane was expected to start up front for Tottenham in tonight’s North London Derby that sees Arsenal host Spurs at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.

There was no mention of the England international in Tottenham’s team news update on Tuesday, however, Pochettino later revealed to the media that Kane has emerged as a fitness doubt for the game.

The Argentinean coach confirmed that the 25-year-old was forced to miss training yesterday as a precaution after picking up a cold and the striker instead did some work in the gym.

Pochettino says Kane will be assessed ahead of the game tonight and they must decide whether he’s fit to start against Arsenal or if he’s only able to come off the bench.

Pochettino is quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“We need to assess him because he had a cold this morning and he didn’t go outside to train.

“Big decision. If we consider that he can cover 90 minutes, maybe he can play. If not, maybe he will be on the bench.

“To protect him, he didn’t train outside. He was doing something in the gym.”

We’ll have to wait and see whether Kane is named in the line-up later tonight but Spurs will be praying he’s passed fit to start as the striker has a superb record against Arsenal having scored eight goals in his eight North London Derbies.

Tottenham are also out to avenge their 4-2 Premier League defeat to the Gunners from earlier this month and Pochettino knows his side have a far better chance of getting a positive result tonight if Kane starts.

Spurs are going well in the league and have a huge Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund to look forward to but Pochettino is under pressure to end their trophy drought as Tottenham have not lifted any silverware since winning the League Cup in 2008.