Jose Mourinho admits Spurs need to take care of Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho has admitted that the club must act carefully over Harry Kane’s fitness.

The striker limped off during the 1-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day with what turned out to be a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring which required surgery (Spurs official).

Kane was set to miss the remainder of the season but due to the coronavirus causing the season to be extended, the 27-year-old returned following the resumption of the campaign.

The England international has played every minute of Tottenham’s opening two fixtures and could be set to lead the line again on Sunday at St Mary’s, the scene of his hamstring problem.

Mourinho highlighted that Kane has barely had an opportunity to build his fitness during pre-season and has instead had to build his fitness during matches.

The Portuguese does not believe that Kane is operating at an optimum level but suggested that he needs the prolific frontman to lead the line to win matches.

“[Harry] didn’t have pre-season at all, he went direct from lockdown to the national team, no training,” Mourinho told Football.London.

“He didn’t have a week of training so at this moment, his preparation has been just the minutes he’s been on the pitch.

“Of course he’s not prepared, but it’s the way he’s finding his form, his sharpness, his movement , his intensity.

“So we will have to try to take care of him but at the same time we want to win matches.”