Monday 21 November 2016 20:07, UK
Harry Kane can revitalise Tottenham's Champions League campaign, says Hugo Lloris, but Mauricio Pochettino may not risk the striker.
Pochettino insists Spurs' Champions League tie against Monaco on Tuesday is the club's priority, despite his side facing Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, but he will set fitness limits on his selection.
Spurs trail Monaco by four points and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen by two in Group E following successive home defeats at Wembley, and realistically must win if they are to avoid an early exit.
"It's clear that tomorrow is the most important game," Pochettino said. "Our selection for tomorrow will be if the players that are fit or not, that can play 90 minutes or not.
"We need to assess Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli, if they can play 90 minutes and don't take any risks that can affect for the next games.
"We have one day less than Monaco to recover because they play Friday, we play Saturday. Today is a very important day to assess and see if the players are fully recovered to play tomorrow."
Kane scored two goals while playing the full 90 minutes of Spurs' 3-2 win against West Ham on Saturday, having not featured for England during the international break after being named in the squad by Gareth Southgate.
The 23-year-old had previously made just one appearance - in the north London derby against Arsenal on November 6 - since injuring his ankle against Sunderland on September 18.
And Tottenham captain Lloris believes Kane is pivotal to turning around his side's Champions League results.
"One thing is very important - the return of Kane," Lloris said. "He is bringing a lot of positive energy as we saw against Arsenal and West Ham. He is a very important player for us. Tomorrow he is going to be decisive hopefully.
"It's simple. He is one of the leaders and tomorrow is an important moment for Tottenham this season so we need all our top players at the top level.
"It's our responsibility tomorrow to play at that level."
Monaco surprised Spurs with a counter-attacking performance that inspired a 2-1 victory in September and Pochettino admits Tottenham must guard against over-committing at the Stade Louis II.
"It's a game that we must win but we need to find a way how," Pochettino said.
"We have a good team in front, we know Monaco very well. We always want to win every game we play but it's not about taking more or less risks but to be clever, follow the plan and try to win after 90 minutes.
"That's our idea, our challenge. It's not about risks, it's about balance in football."
Lloris also eased concerns about his future at Tottenham with the France international yet to extend his current deal, which expires in 2019.
"There is nothing to worry about," Lloris said. "Let's see what will happen but I feel fully committed to the club, I'm enjoying my time here but at the moment I'm only focused on tomorrow's game."
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