Tottenham Hotspur starting to feel the effects of Harry Kane's absence

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has recently returned to training after recovering from an ankle injury, and it comes not a moment too soon with the Lilywhites struggling for goals in recent weeks.

Spurs won't have their first-choice centre-forward in the starting eleven for another fortnight, however, and his absence this season has been felt with goals becoming harder to come by.



Replicating 2015/16, Tottenham Hotspur have racked up a lot of draws this season as they've struggled at times to kill teams off without their first-choice striker firing. At the start of last season, Kane was struggling for form and Tottenham struggled for wins before the goals returned. It's a similar case in 2016/17 with Spurs having drawn 44% of their games so far in the Premier League without Kane.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have scored the least amount of goals in the top-seven with 13 goals from nine games and it's no coincidence given they don't have their 25-goal striker leading the line. Kane has played five Premier League games this season, scoring or creating the winning goal in two games for his troubles. Scoring 21 goals in 2014/15, Kane bagged 25 goals in 2015/16 so it's hardly surprising Tottenham have missed him.



Spurs' saving grace has been their outstanding defensive record which has aided them to win by narrow leads. The Londoners have conceded just four goals, one from open play, and remain unbeaten in the Premier League. They haven't lacked cutting edge in the final third as only Liverpool are creating more shots and having more shots on target. But Tottenham don't have a ruthless finisher on the end of such chances to bury them.



They are coming off the back of three draws in all competitions, scoring just one goal. Tottenham were held away to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, October 15, and followed it up with a goalless draw away to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League three days later. And most recently, Spurs were held on the road to Bournemouth without scoring. Pochettino desperately needs Kane back to ensure Tottenham don't lose ground in the title race.

When Kane returns, Tottenham's problems should be solved as the England international has an all-round skill-set that the Londoners have been lacking. Scoring 49 goals in his last 72 Premier League starts is impressive enough, but Kane is also a physical presence in the box to hit with crosses with his aerial superiority and movement in the final third.



The 23-year-old is a different player than the forwards currently starting for Tottenham. The likes of Son Heung-Min and Erik Lamela provide pace and industry and can play on the shoulder of the opposition. Kane will collect to feet to retain possession and play others in, so he will act as a conduit when Spurs build their attacks. His strength means he can hold the ball up, rather than having to rely on direct balls in behind the backline, and he can hold off defenders to steer crosses into the back of the net.



Tottenham need Harry Kane as soon as possible.