LONDON • Tottenham Hotspur are still unable to assess the extent of Harry Kane's ankle injury nearly a week after the striker was hurt.

The Englishman was forced to leave Tottenham's match against Sunderland last Sunday on a stretcher and manager Mauricio Pochettino said yesterday that only by next week will the full extent of the player's injury be known.

There was better news for Tottenham's other injury worries, with Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and Danny Rose possibly in contention for today's Premier League fixture at Middlesbrough.

"We don't know when he will be back," Pochettino said of Kane.

"We need to assess every day. The ankle is still swollen, so we need to wait. We will have another scan next week."

Kane's expected replacement is Vincent Janssen, a £17 million (S$30 million) summer signing from AZ Alkmaar.

Janssen has so far struggled in front of goal, but opened his account for the club in the League Cup 5-0 trouncing of Gillingham.

Pochettino believes the goal will give Janssen confidence but was also keen to deflect any pressure from the 22-year-old.

"It's always a team responsibility," Pochettino said.

"He needs to feel free to play, to help the team, to show his real skill. He needs only to play football. Yes it's possible he'll go (on a scoring run)."

Aitor Karanka will put his friendship with Pochettino aside as he attempts to halt Middlesbrough's mini slump - three defeats and a draw in four matches.

The Middlesbrough manager took his coaching badges with his Tottenham counterpart and believes the London side can challenge for the Premier League title.

"He's a good coach and a good friend, but that friendship has to go on hold as soon as the first whistle goes," Karanka said.

"There's not been a game so far this season where we've been outclassed, it's just a case of ironing out the mistakes that have proved costly so far."

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