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Ray Wilkins delivers verdict on Tottenham’s top-four chances

Ray Wilkins Assistant manager of Aston Villa shares a joke with Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between C...
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Chelsea legend Wilkins believes Spurs’ clash against the Blues could be all-important.

New Aston Villa assistant coach Ray Wilkins looks on before the pre season friendly between Walsall and Aston Villa at Banks' Stadium on July 25, 2015 in Walsall, England.

Chelsea legend Ray Wilkins has told TalkSPORT that he believes the injury to Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane could see Spurs struggle to achieve a place in the Premier League’s top four places.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined for six weeks after picking up an ankle injury in the 4-1 win over AFC Bournemouth earlier this month, and could now miss crucial games against Chelsea and Manchester City in April.

Spurs boast Fernando Llorente as a back-up option but he has scored just two Premier League goals all season, while 25-year-old Son Heung-min can also play as a centre-forward but has been in excellent form from the flanks, as stated by Wilkins.

An injured Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur holds his ankle during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on March 10, 2018 in...

Wilkins believes the meeting between Spurs and Chelsea on April 1 will prove crucial when it comes to the final standings in the Premier League, and reckons Kane’s absence swings the balance into Chelsea’s favour.

“The only thing that swings in their favour is that Harry Kane is out for six weeks,” Wilkins said. “Without Harry’s goals Tottenham may struggle, we don’t know, but [Heung-min] Son is on fire.

“Chelsea have to play both Liverpool and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, and they have to win both to have any chance of creeping into fourth place.”

Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham...

Kane, 24, has been in wonderful form once again this term, scoring a huge 35 goals in just 39 league and cup outings as he remains joint first in the race for the Premier League golden boot.

But with a spell on the sidelines ahead of the north Londoners’ number 10, the England international could fall behind Liverpool’s Mo Salah with both players on 24 goals.

Spurs remain in third place with Chelsea five points behind Mauricio Pochettino’s side in fifth, while Manchester United sit in second – four points above Spurs. Liverpool are in fourth, one point behind Spurs.