Antonio Conte has admitted he made a late decision on starting Harry Kane in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest. Kane has started every game for both club and country so far this season in what has been a schedule like no other.
Given Spurs' European commitments, they have had midweek matches every single week since the beginning of September. Spurs host Leeds United on Saturday in what is the final match at club level before the World Cup in Qatar, which Kane will almost certainly be jetting off to with England.
Despite the hectic schedule, Conte opted to start Kane in their Carabao Cup third round tie with Forest, though he could not prevent them from being knocked out. Speaking after the game, Conte revealed Kane is very much suffering with 'tiredness' at the moment but his lack of strikers meant he felt compelled into starting him.
READ MORE: Ex-Leeds United midfielder hands England timely boost ahead of World Cup squad announcement
“With Harry, until this morning we waited to see if he could start or not, but in this situation he was the only striker for us. For this reason I can only say thanks for the availability they show me.
“It was a problem of tiredness. Really, really tired and yesterday we had a soft training session and at one point he stopped himself to recover energy.
“But he’s okay, it’s only fatigue but it’s normal because Harry played every game. When you have a player like him it’s difficult to decide you don’t play with him.
“Other players maybe they could tell me, ‘I’m tired and don’t want to play and help the team’. I have a group of players who are men and good players because of this.
“Another could be selfish and think for himself because in one week they have to play the World Cup. Instead, Harry Kane showed to be a really good man.
“Today it was really difficult if Kane told me, ‘maybe it’s better I don’t start today because I risk a lot to have an injury’. But I repeat, it’s normal, what’s happening in this period.”
READ NEXT:
- Leeds United player ratings as Gyabi, Perkins and Joseph show promise in narrow Wolves loss
- Leeds United duo named in USA World Cup squad as England test awaits
- Leeds United debutants shine in Carabao Cup defeat amid Joe Gelhardt injury concern
- Wolves 1-0 Leeds United highlights: Late Boubacar Traore strike enough to see off young Whites side
- Leeds United shareholders 49ers Enterprises reportedly 'preparing' for full takeover
