World news – Mourinho is reluctant to give Kane a welcome break in the Europa League

ose Mourinho asked Harry Kane to start again at today’s Europa League clash in Zagreb. This reflects the Tottenham manager’s discomfort at approaching a game without his talisman.

Players throughout the game are feeling the strain like never before and no more than at Spurs, who are on their 47th game of the season in Croatia prepare, more than any other club in the top five leagues in Europe.

Kane has already appeared in 38 of his games, starting at 32, and tonight will be his 44th appearance in a busy season including England internationals .

It’s easy to ask if the round of 16 is the last chance Mourinho can rest the striker with ease. Spurs lead 2-0 after Kane’s double in last week’s first leg.

Since the Europa League is perhaps Tottenham’s clearest path back to the Champions League, the Spurs manager does not see it that way as he believes it will be a draw is far from over. « I don’t think it’s such a good lead, » he said. « I feel it’s open. »

There have been warning signs on Kane, however, including blows to both ankles that excluded him from two games in February while finishing last Thursday’s first leg with an ice pack on his right knee / p> Although Mourinho refuses to rest Kane tonight, he hopes England coach Gareth Southgate will find a « compromise » with Kane during World Cup qualifiers this month.

It is to be expected that the English Captain will sit out next Thursday at Wembley against San Marino, which would give him a clear week after Tottenham’s visit to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Kane isn’t the only Spurs risking a long season to catch them. Mourinho has already lost Heung-min Son to a hamstring injury.

The only Spurs outfield player to make more appearances than Son this season is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at 42, and the Dane also looked stretched against Arsenal .

Hojbjerg is suspended tonight while Tanguy Ndombele has rested after playing 37 games this season.

Spurs midfield has been strengthened with the return of Giovani Lo Celso, who was the first Has been in the squad since December 20th.