HARRY KANE will use a NASA-developed treadmill that makes it feel like you are running on the moon in his race to get back.
But the Tottenham striker must take small steps not giant leaps on the road to recovery from an ankle injury which — he knows through bitter experience — is an unpredictable journey.
Here SunSport looks at how he plans to overcome the grade-two tear sustained in a challenge from Phil Jones in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
DON’T RUSH IT
The key for Kane, 25, is to get the rehab right and not rush back, something he has done in the past.
This is his THIRD major ankle injury in three years. The prediction is two months out but Spurs hope this can be reduced. But too much, too soon and it could be longer.
Over the next few days, Kane, still on crutches, must wait for the swelling to go and apply regular ice packs as his body starts to recover.
FIRST STEPS
In the initial two to three weeks, when the ankle is starting to repair, there is very little Kane can do.
Many players go on holiday to a hotter climate. Otherwise, most days they will head to the training ground for breakfast with their team-mates.
Kane will go to the gym for non-weight-bearing exercises, focusing on his upper body, doing the likes of bench presses.
When possible, some two to three weeks in, he will attempt some cardiovascular exercises.
Players must keep up their cardio levels. Otherwise any laziness, which clearly will not happen with someone as dedicated as Kane, means stars can end up starting effectively back in pre-season.
With the ankle continuing to improve, the player will head to the swimming pool, while also receiving massages on the problem ankle.
Kane will also receive treatment on the good ankle as that will have taken the load of his entire body.
As a result, the stronger ankle is also prone to injury.
HUNGRY FOR MORE
In October 2017, Kane put his speedy recovery from an ankle injury partly down to a change in his diet as he had employed a chef who was an expert in sports nutrition.
Kane said this had made him leaner, quicker and stronger — and helped him return quickly.
He said: “A football career is so short, you have to make every day count. I have a chef at home to eat the right food, helping recovery.
“The right mix of protein, fresh fruit and veg is vital. He helped me in the recovery with certain foods I was eating. It opened my eyes a bit.”
RUNNING ON THE MOON
Between four and six weeks, depending on the status of the injury, the player will look to put more weight on his entire body.
Spurs’ anti-gravity running machine is a high-tech piece of equipment, which looks normal but the lower body is in a special air chamber.
It inflates with a band around the player’s waist, which means he can run on only 20 per cent of his bodyweight so he will feel like he is running on the moon and not putting too much stress on his bones.
Depending on whether there has been any reaction from his ankle, Kane will then begin light training.
BACK WITH THE LADS
Last term, Kane injured his ankle on March 11 v Bournemouth but came off the bench on April 1 in a 3-1 win at Chelsea — just THREE WEEKS later.
There is, though, no guarantee of that sort of recovery. Once back on the training ground, Kane will start with simple running in straight lines — at an extremely slow pace — followed by some twists and turns.
He will then begin some speed tests but still only running at 60 and then 70 per cent, before getting to kick a football again. This will involve light individual work before he practises crossing and shooting.
And finally, he will be back into full training with his team-mates — but Spurs will be careful.
Kane will join in as a non-contact player, meaning defenders will not be allowed to tackle him.
There have been occasions at other clubs where a player has injured a recovering team-mate — and been heftily fined by the club.
If Kane overcomes this — with the finishing line in sight — he will likely feature in an Under-23s game or a behind-closed-doors friendly.
And then, eventually, it will be back to the first team — and the Premier League.