Tottenham vs Ajax: Mauricio Pochettino reveals Harry Kane has stepped up his injury rehab

Kane suffered his fifth ankle problem in two-and-a-half years and second of 2019 during his side's 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Harry Kane has started to run in training as the England international steps up his recovery from an ankle ligament injury.

Kane suffered his fifth ankle problem in two-and-a-half years and second of 2019 during his side's 1-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Manchester City.

Tottenham duly announced that their forward had suffered “significant” damage to his left ankle, although the 25-year-old’s rehabilitation appears to be going quicker than expected.

Speaking ahead of the first leg on Tuesday, Pochettino said: “He’s doing well. He’s working and starting to run a bit inside. His rehab is so good but we cannot create an idea that we maybe cannot achieve.

“The most important thing is that he is in a good place and we’ll see what happens.”

When asked whether he would be fit to face Ajax in the return leg in Amsterdam on May 8, Pochettino said: “Will he? No chance? Oh, Jesus [Perez] says no chance.”

Pochettino, talking about the missing players in his squad, said: “We are going to be a team.

“I don't care who is going to score. Of course, it's an issue to not have all the players fit, but it's about the collective.

“We have a spirit in the team that we can achieve anything and all is possible. That is our strength.”

He added: “We have a great opportunity to be here playing the semi-final, it has not happened often.

“It is our first time in the Champions League semi-final, that is why you must show respect for the competition and the opponent because it is going to be tough.”

Lucas Moura, who is set to play a vital role for Spurs with both Kane and Son Heung-min missing, said of the South Korea international: “Son is a very, very good player, he's very important for us.

Lucas Moura will stand in for Son Heung-min (EPA)

“Of course we will miss him but we have other players who can do a good job and we have a very good squad.”

On the threat of Ajax, the winger added: “It could be a very hard game, but I think we are ready to do a good job.

“It will be very hard because when we play against a team we don't know very well. It's difficult, but every game is difficult.”

The 26-year-old Brazilian, who joined Spurs from Paris St Germain in January 2018, will play in his first Champions League semi-final match on Tuesday.

“I can say (it's the biggest game of my career),” he added. “It's a big moment for me. its a dream to play in this competition, I need to enjoy this opportunity and play my best.”