Kane's Injury - Opportunity Knocks

Although losing Harry is a huge blow, this opens up great opportunities for other forwards to step up to the plate.

We have had glimpses of good promise without him - the Bournemouth turnaround was outstanding, and then there were the three games he missed v Burnley (2-0), Swansea (3-1) and Watford (4-0) around this time last year. City at home is another.

I do not expect Eriksen's role to change, he will still be running it from his 8-stroke-10 position, but the sands will shift around him,. I do not expect Llorente to not be given a starting berth either.


HEUNG-MIN SON
Sonny has been in great goalscoring form of late, his best for us so far, and s having another influential season. Luckily for us his form coincides with the unlucky injury to Kane.

A consistent goal every 180 or so in every competition over his career with us. Not quite Kane level of course, but his 7 goals in his last 4 certainly is. Goals-per-minute is down to about 145 mins this year in the CL and PL.


DELE ALLI
Dele has had a quietly influential 2nd half of the season. The headline-grabbing goals have been much rarer than his last season, but I feel he has improved his all-round game, and is being effective from other areas.

Now I guess Dele will be pushed right up with Sonny, so it is time to dust off the scoring boots and go back to the almost-second-striker role he can be so devastating in. I liked the dynamic between him and Son v Bournemouth, either one staying up, or peeling off. Hard to mark.


ERIK LAMELA
The big injury looks to be behind him now, and I have been impressed with his sparing performances so far. I thought he was superb on Sunday, also in Turin, and in the FA cup so far.

With the shift, I expect Erik to come in now. I see a 4222 of sorts - the Brazilian 'magic square' - with two players operating as 10s, and two forwards. I have always felt playing centrally would suit Lamela better, and this could be a devestating partnership with Eriksen - neither are shy of taking up wider positions, both are comfortable at 10, or dropping off a little.


LUCAS MOURA
Fleeting appearances from our Brazilian so far , but promise shown whenever we have seen him.

I guess now he is our go-to bench option instead of Lamela, which I look forward to. Hopefully he can impress and push for a start. We may even see all five at some point, in a 4141 or 433. Exciting