Mauricio Pochettino would be taking a risk if he decided to start Harry Kane in the Champions League final, says Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez.
"The only one who can make the right decision is Pochettino, because he knows the player and he has been watching training.
"The player will say 'yes, I am fine', because he will be desperate to play the final. So he has to talk with the medical staff and decide.
"If you are asking me 'what would you do?' I cannot give you any answer because I haven't seen the player. It is a big decision.
"They were doing so well and the players up front are so dynamic, to change that and put a player who is maybe not fully fit is a risk. We have to wait and see how confident Pochettino is with the fitness of Harry Kane."
Benitez says the key to deciding which side will win the Champions League final will be whether Tottenham are able to deal with Liverpool's intensity.
The former Liverpool boss, who led them to European glory in 2005, said: "Liverpool will try to start with intensity from the first minute, and Tottenham will try to manage it.
"It depends if Pochettino decides to play four at the back or five at the back and whether they will have more options to keep the ball.
"We will see how Tottenham manage this pressure. If they can keep the ball, they are quite dangerous with players between the lines. But if Tottenham are attacking high, Liverpool are quite dangerous also on the counter-attack."
KuGoo
516
The 13-14 Champions League final tells us a lesson: If the main striker is injured, it is best not to risk starting, not as a substitute player.so Kane is more suitable for a sub
billionjuo
55
I think we preserve Kane as much as possible (the last thing we need in this game is a forced sub due to an injury), so in my eyes he's a sub along side Llorente. Kane should be ready to come on earlier in the game if things just aren't clicking up front and Llorente saved for the last ten minutes if we're down a goal and need the hail mary passes into the box.
Eugener
52
I think Pochettino would be doing the players who got him to the final a great disservice if he starts Harry Kane over any of them. Fine to have him on the bench if it starts to go pear shape but a great manager will show loyalty above his desire to win.
Frederice
52
Kane should be a substitute player. After all, he hasn't played for a long time. Maybe he will have a good effect on the bench.
Marryhoward
45
Tottenham and Liverpool's offense are very strong, the decision to win the game will be the defense of the two teams, not the offense So kane actually has little effect.