Tottenham Hotspur climbed to third place in the Premier League table on Sunday courtesy of a 1-0 win over Sunderland at White Hart Lane.
However, that victory came at a cost as three Spurs players had to be substituted with injury issues.
Midfielders Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier were taken off with tight hamstrings, before goalscorer Harry Kane exited the arena on a stretcher with a serious-looking ankle problem.
Kane’s injury. Not pretty. pic.twitter.com/84j84IFYhi
— Matt Turnbull (@mattturnbull7) September 18, 2016
Kane turned his ankle into a very unnatural position, as the video above shows.
Speaking after the game, Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted that Kane had been in pain.
Pochettino was quoted by ESPN as saying: “Kane to be assessed tomorrow. He twisted his ankle and felt pain. It’s difficult to assess and give an opinion. Only we have to wait, to see tomorrow.”
If Kane has damaged ligaments, he will likely be out for more than a month, which would see him miss at least two Champions League games.
Kane left White Hart Lane on crutches.
Doesn’t look good for Harry Kane. Leaves the stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot. #thfc pic.twitter.com/Tqrn7KMa0I
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) September 18, 2016
The news on the other two players is less concerning, with Pochettino adding: “Dier and Dembele only felt cramp in their hamstrings – nothing big.”
Kane’s absence may provide a big opportunity for Dutch summer signing Vincent Janssen to shine as the leader of Tottenham’s attack.
Kane injury is a blow but I fancy Janssen to grab his chance. At least this happened now, not last year when there was no backup #THFC #COYS
— Robert Summerscales (@robsummerscales) September 18, 2016
Next up for Spurs is a home games against Gillingham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, before they travel to Middlesbrough in the Premier League next weekend.