Harry Kane to miss Bayern's Freiburg clash with ankle issue
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane will miss Saturday's Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg due to an ankle complaint, casting a shadow over the club's preparations for next week's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Manager Vincent Kompany confirmed the news on Friday, revealing the England captain felt the issue in his ankle after training with the national team last Sunday.
Kompany expressed his disappointment at being without his leading marksman for the league fixture but offered a more positive prognosis for the crucial European tie. 'It's not nice, I would have liked to have him available,' Kompany said. 'But I am positive for Tuesday.' Kane's absence is compounded by the suspension of his primary deputy, Nicolas Jackson, who is serving a ban following his red card against Bayer Leverkusen.
The timing of Kane's setback is far from ideal for Bayern, who face a pivotal seven-day period. Serge Gnabry is the most likely candidate to lead the line against Freiburg in Kane's stead. Kane had previously missed England's friendly against Japan due to the same issue, a match where Phil Foden struggled in an experimental centre-forward role under Three Lions coach Thomas Tuchel.
In more encouraging news for the Bavarian side, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to return to the squad after recovering from a minor muscle fibre tear in his left calf suffered in early March. The 40-year-old captain has been given the all-clear by Kompany, who stated, 'Manu is one hundred percent fit.' His return provides a significant boost to a defence preparing to face the might of Real Madrid.
Furthermore, Kompany indicated that several other key players are nearing returns. Jamal Musiala, who has been managing pain in his surgically repaired left foot, Alphonso Davies, recovering from a right hamstring strain, and Aleksandar Pavlovic, who had hip complaints, are all back in contention. The manager described Musiala and Davies as 'real options,' though he cautioned about their readiness for a full 90 minutes or three games in a week.
The packed schedule leaves Kompany with little room for manoeuvre. 'We no longer have the luxury of being able to choose a lot,' he admitted. 'We have to win. Every player has to get to their best level and deliver the maximum.' Bayern's immediate focus is securing three points against Freiburg to maintain pressure at the Bundesliga summit, before the season's defining European night at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, where all eyes will be on the fitness of Harry Kane.
