Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists Harry Kane's ankle injury won't be an excuse if they finish the season potless.

Kane faces five weeks on the sidelines.

Pochettino said: “We are not going to use an ­excuse if we in the end don't achieve. But the reality is ­missing one of your best players, of course, that is a big disadvantage.

“We are going to try to do our job. And, of course, there are different players we have in attack.

“They need to step up to do the job to ensure that we will be in the top four and can ­compete at City next Wednesday."

Kane has now suffered FIVE ankle injuries in two-and-a-half years and suddenly England's main man has become injury prone – and that is a tag which can weigh heavily on a player's shoulders both physically and mentally.

Pochettino added: “Yes, for sure it can be an issue. When you suffer once, twice or a third time, it's normal that you will always think about it.

“Hopefully, he can be fit for the Nations League. Of course we hope. You know that he will be so positive to get himself fit. First of all to help Tottenham and then, if that's not possible, to help the ­national team.

“There are a lot of techniques to try to help that and to stop it becoming a chronic problem. We have some ideas to help him to recover as soon as possible and make his ankle strong again."