Tottenham striker Harry Kane is hopeful that he will be fit to play in the Champions League final against Liverpool after running onto the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates following their incredible semi-final comeback against Ajax.
Kane has been sidelined since April 9 after suffering an ankle injury during the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester City.
However, he revealed that he is ‘positive’ about his chances of featuring against Liverpool in the all-English final at the Wanda Metropolitano on June 1.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane is hopeful of being fit for the Champions League final
Kane, who has started straight line running, revealed that his rehab is going well
Kane, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, celebrated with his team-mates
The striker hasn’t played since April 9 but is eager to feature in the final against Liverpool
Kane explained that he has commenced straight line running, which is why he was able to sprint onto the pitch to join his team-mates.
Asked about his chances of making the final, Kane told BT Sport: ‘Hopefully, rehab is going well. I started straight line running this week.
‘That’s why I ran over there because it was straight and I didn’t cut any corners. So far so good and if it keep going like this then it’s positive and I’d hope to be fit but there’s still a few weeks to go.’
Kane was in attendance as Tottenham staged a remarkable comeback away to Ajax to reach the final of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time.
Tottenham were trailing 1-0 from the first leg of their semi-final against Ajax and found themselves 2-0 down on the night at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The 25-year-old was ecstatic after Tottenham’s incredible semi-final comeback against Ajax
Kane joined his team-mates to celebrate reaching Tottenham’s first Champions League final
However, incredibly, a hat-trick from Lucas Moura in the second half sent Tottenham through to their first ever Champions League final, which will see them face Liverpool in Madrid on June 1.
Despite not being able to play against Ajax, Kane travelled to Holland to watch the game, where he was joined by other players who weren’t involved, including Davinson Sanchez and Michel Vorm.
Kane was amazed as Tottenham staged an unbelievable comeback.
Asked about the game, he said: ‘Just incredible. Disappointing first half, thought we didn’t start well. We let them play and they scored two. I said at half-time it’s 45 mins to give everything, could be our second to last game of the season.
‘When Lucas scored two you thought there’s a chance but Jan (Vertonghen) hit the bar and then Lucas scored the winner right at the end.
‘I’m a fan first and foremost, I know how much it means to the club, the chairman, the staff and as a player you’re looking at the game thinking what you would be doing. But the lads dug deep, showed heart and passion.’
Tottenham will be determined to have Kane, who has scored 24 goals this season, available for the final.
Kane celebrates with manager Mauricio Pochettino after the full-time whistle
Kane grabbed hold of Pochettino as the Tottenham players went wild after the game
Kane has been absent for Tottenham’s last eight matches in all competitions.
He was overcome with emotion at the final whistle and sprinted onto the pitch to join his jubilant team-mates.
The England international patted Victor Wanyama on the head and then went to celebrate with Son Heung-min and the rest of the Tottenham players.
Kane admitted that Tottenham took inspiration from Liverpool’s heroics on Tuesday night, when they overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit against Barcelona to win 4-3 on aggregate.
He said: ‘Incredible game. I went down there at half-time. We all knew it wasn’t good enough, we had to work harder and take our chances. It looked like we were going to get the third earlier but waited until the last minute.
The striker, who has scored 24 goals this season, could win the first trophy of his career
Kane admitted that Tottenham took inspiration from Liverpool’s heroics against Barcelona
‘Over the two legs we didn’t play as well as we would have liked. We saw Liverpool find a way to beat Barcelona and we found a way to beat Ajax. We know there’s the final still to come so we’ve got to take it all in and prepare for that.’
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have overcome the odds to reach the final. They took just one point from their first three group stage fixtures but still managed to progress.
After overcoming Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16, Tottenham progressed on away goals against Manchester City in the quarter-finals, with the game having ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Then came this superb comeback against Ajax, with Tottenham now dreaming of Champions League glory.