Tottenham ready to risk England captain Harry Kane in Carabao Cup tie with World Cup opener just 12 days away

TOTTENHAM are willing to risk Harry Kane’s World Cup fitness by playing him in the League Cup tonight.

Kane, 29, has missed just 14 minutes this season and has started every game — but he may not be rested against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Antonio Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini insisted: “We don’t have to think about the World Cup — it is not our job.

“Our job is to take care of our players, use them to reach our targets but also to save them.

“We are not crazy. We have to take the right decision with the players sometimes.”

The Italian confirmed Conte will decide if Kane plays tonight only ­after Spurs staff have analysed player recovery levels following Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool.

Stellini added: “Antonio will speak with all the players and take the right decision for the team.

“But it is an important game, an important competition and we want to win. I want to see Harry Kane in every game.

“The decision is up to Antonio — but I love football and I love to see talented players.

“Harry Kane is a talented player and in every competition I hope to see him play for Tottenham.”

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England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran in 12 days.

Forest boss Steve Cooper says there are no “days off” for his side — despite taking a break from their Premier League survival bid.

His team beat Arsenal and Leicester on their way to last season’s FA Cup quarter-finals — and still won promotion.

He said: “I don’t think we can afford any days off or miss any chance that can help us improve.

“We had to commit to all of those games last season — they were big occasions and live on TV.

“Yet that was last season and this is very different.”