Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle believes Harry Kane should start on the bench in Saturday’s Champions League final, even if he is passed fit for the game.
Spurs flew to Madrid on Wednesday as they began their final preparations for this weekend’s all-English clash against Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Star striker Kane faces a race to be fit for the final having missed seven weeks of action with a ‘significant’ ankle ligament injury.
The England captain was ruled out of both of Tottenham’s miraculous European comebacks in the quarter-finals against Manchester City and semi-finals against Ajax.
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He is now back in first-team training and this week declared himself fit and ‘ready to go’ for the final.
But Hoddle has urged Mauricio Pochettino NOT to start the hitman, as he believes Kane could be Tottenham’s secret weapon against Liverpool.
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“I’m absolutely delighted that he’s fit, but I definitely wouldn’t start him,” the Spurs legend told White Hart Lane stadium announcer Paul Coyte on talkSPORT2.
“I think what a sight it would be for the Spurs fans and his team-mates if he’s there with half-an-hour to go and the game is hanging on an inch or is heading into extra-time.
“What a sight to see him come on with Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son if goals are needed and what a sight if they are hanging onto the game, because he can hold the ball up.
“The tempo of the game is going to be absolutely incredible at the beginning of the game, Liverpool like to press and play that high tempo, I don’t think he’ll be ready for that sort of pace.
“I really feel that once the game is settled in the second-half and he’s coming on fresh, I think that’s where he can have a real impact.
“Yeah, his ankle is feeling good and that’s great news, but he’s not 100 per cent match fit and we all know that.
“But it’s a great sign that he’s fit and it will give so much confidence to the other players, it really will.
“A 100 per cent fit Harry Kane starts, there’s no doubt about it, but at this moment in time I think he’ll be on the bench.”