Quique Flores has stoked the fire ahead of Watford’s Premier League clash against Tottenham by declaring he would not swap Odion Ighalo or Troy Deeney for Harry Kane.
England international Kane now has 14 goals from his last 15 league appearances after he scored a brace in Spurs’ 3-0 victory at Norwich on Tuesday night.
But, when asked if he would prefer to have Kane in his side rather than Ighalo or Deeney, Flores replied: “No, no. I don’t change my players for anyone.”
Kane’s league tally for the season stands at 15, which is one greater than Ighalo has managed, while Deeney has found the back of the net on six occasions. Hornets captain Deeney has also created 26 chances for Ighalo, which is more than any other player for a teammate in the Premier League.
“(On Saturday) we have the opportunity to look at three of the best strikers in the league,” Flores added. “Kane is a very good player and he is very important for them.
“Tottenham play really well in midfield with Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele, but if you don’t have a good striker it is impossible – and they have one of the best strikers in the league.”
Meanwhile, Everton striker Romelu Lukaku’s determination to play through pain is another example of the character being shown by members of the squad, according to manager Roberto Martinez.
The Belgium international was forced off in the midweek win over Newcastle with a back problem which left him struggling to walk but not before trying to soldier on for the good of the team.
It is why Martinez expects the 22-year-old to take his place in the side to face Stoke on Saturday.
“He is reliable and that is why I am positive about him being available because he knows how to make himself available for games,” the Toffees boss said.
Southampton can welcome back new striker Charlie Austin for the visit of West Ham. The January signing has shaken off the knock which kept him out of the midweek draw at Arsenal.
