Soccer

Nuno ponders Kane selection as Manchester City try to close deal

Spurs manager cuts relaxed figure despite speculation linking star striker to rivals

Harry Kane. Photograph: Peter Powell/PA Wire

Ben Fisher
Wed Aug 18 2021 - 22:30

Nuno Espírito Santo said he must consider whether Harry Kane is in the right frame of mind before deciding whether to select him, with Manchester City keen on concluding a deal for the Tottenham Hotspur striker before the close of the transfer window.

Nuno revealed he enjoyed breakfast together with Kane yesterday morning but the forward was left out of the Tottenham party that later travelled to Portugal for their Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Paços de Ferreira.

Kane returned to first-team training last Friday and continues to build his fitness. Yesterday Kane, who missed Tottenham's opening-weekend victory over City last Sunday, posted a photograph on social media of him training alone at Hotspur Way with the caption: "Another session in the bank." Nuno was noncommittal on whether Kane would be involved against Wolves in the Premier League this Sunday but said he would have to take the striker's fitness and mental state into play.

“What we must be sure of is that when we decide to put a player on the pitch, we have to consider all of the aspects,” Nuno said. “The fitness, the mental aspects. We are here to support all of the players equally.

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“Harry, of course, has all of our support. His fitness is getting better each day. ... On Saturday we will make the decision on who is going to be involved in the next [league] game.” Nuno cut a relaxed figure and insisted the outside noise surrounding Kane will not distract him or the Spurs squad.

“Maybe I am the only one who does not really care about what is being said or written on the outside,” he said. “With all my respect it does not really matter. What matters is what is happening behind the doors and what is happening behind the doors is Harry is our player.” – Guardian

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