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David Pleat backs Fernando Llorente to replace Tottenham star Harry Kane

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur holds his leg after a heavy challenge in the final moments of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur an...
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Kane has been ruled out for two months after suffering an ankle injury in the defeat to Manchester United.

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur competes for the ball with Victor Lindelof of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley...

David Pleat has been quoted by BBC Sport as saying that Fernando Llorente should be entrusted to replace Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, after the England captain was ruled out for two months.

Kane, 25, went down towards the end of Spurs’ 1-0 loss to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on Sunday, and has since been ruled out until the middle of March.

Plenty of debate has been had over the need to replace the England skipper, with many suggesting that Spurs finally need to re-enter the transfer window as the likes of Llorente and Vincent Janssen are not good enough.

But former Spurs boss Pleat is confident that target man Llorente is good enough to do the job and should be trusted by Spurs fans, despite scoring only nine goals in 44 games for the north Londoners.

“Llorente is a very honest trainer, he has had to play in the shadows, he is excellent in the air, and did wonderfully well for Swansea before he came to Spurs,” Pleat said.

“Last time he played he was excellent albeit against Tranmere. Fans should not be too downcast, it could be he goes in and does particularly well.”

Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2019 in London, United...

The former Juventus and Athletic Bilbao striker has shown glimpses he is capable of scoring regularly for Spurs when given the chance this season – finding the net against West Ham in the Carabao Cup, as well as a hat-trick at Tranmere.

Spurs have some big games coming up, including the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea before facing the Blues in the league at the end of February. They also take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Llorente is currently Spurs’ most likely option with Son Heung-min representing South Korea in the Asian Cup. The club also have Janssen in reserve, though he has not played for Spurs since August 2017. Lucas Moura can play up front.

Llorente’s long-term future remains a doubt, though, with his contract ending in the summer.

David Pleat watches from the stands during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at The Lamex Stadium on September 14, 2018 in Stevenage, England.