Football
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Harry Kane's fitness a priority for both England, Tottenham says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino is planning talks with the Football Association to ensure Harry Kane does not suffer from burn-out.

The 21-year-old has developed into a pivotal member of Pochettino's side at Tottenham over the course of the season having already scored 24 goals and is destined to be called into Roy Hodgson's senior England squad for the first time later in the month.

Kane has already played 44 games this season, both for Tottenham and England's Under-21s, and could play up until the end of June if he is included in the squad for the European Under-21 Championship this summer.

With another packed campaign next year and a potential place in the Euro 2016 set-up, Kane may be playing plenty of football over the next 18 months and Pochettino wants to hold discussions with the FA to make sure fatigue does not become an issue.

"We need to speak with the FA," he said ahead of Wednesday's clash with Swansea.

"You always support the national team and we're happy if our player is in the national team or under-21s. When we arrive at that moment it's important to analyse the season and his fitness levels.

"We'll speak with the FA and Harry and take in the season altogether. We're both in the process of developing our young talent.

"For us he is a very important player and we think he will be an important player for England. For that it's important to take a decision all together to provide the best position for Harry."

Tottenham may have lost Sunday's Capital One Cup final to Chelsea and been knocked out of the Europa League at the hands of Fiorentina but they still have 12 league games remaining, starting with Wednesday's visit of Swansea, and Pochettino knows what he would like to see Kane doing at the end of that run.

"This isn't my decision," he said when asked if he'd rather see Kane link up with the seniors or the under-21s.

"Maybe I'd prefer that Harry has a month's holiday after the season to rest and recover his body and mind. We need to arrive at a deal with the player and the FA.

"This is my opinion but realise we need to support the national team and to take the best decision for us all. This is our concern -- he is our player. The FA need the player to play but at the same time they are concerned about the development of their own young talent."

Dan Ashworth, the FA's technical director, has suggested playing the under-21 tournament in Croatia could be beneficial to Kane -- and therefore Tottenham.

"I am sure (England Under-21 coach) Gareth (Southgate) would love to have Harry with the under-21s," Ashworth told PA Sport last week.

"If we win it I am sure Harry will benefit enormously. It is the nearest thing he is going to get to winning something with the England seniors.

"It is our duty as a national association to try to get our best and most appropriate players to every single tournament. We want to go to tournaments and win them. I do get where they (Spurs) are coming from but obviously my duty is to do what's best for England."

Whether Ashworth and Southgate get their wish may well be determined by any meeting Pochettino can organise with the FA as all parties look to protect their own interests.

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