Jose Mourinho has expressed sadness over the absence of Harry Kane after Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 away draw against Middlesbrough in thr third roumd of the Emirates FA Cup.

Ashley Fletcher strike had put Middlesbrough ahead before Lucas Moura’ s  second-half header forced a replay.

Tottenham are without a win in their last three games in all competitions and Mourinho said injuries to Kane, Tanguy NDombele, Hugo Lloris and Danny Rose were hampering his side’s progress.

“We have what we have and we stick with them. The boys did what they can.

“You cannot transform Lucas or Son in a number nine like Harry Kane.

“We changed things and took our risks. Our team in the last 30 minutes we didn’t even have a midfield player.

“We played with six attacking players without a striker. We took our risks.”

Tottenham are sixth in the Premier League despite having lost three and drawn one of their last seven games in the competition.

And Mourinho admitted the cup brought little respite on a frustrating afternoon.

And on the thought of a replay on home turf, Mourinho said it is not a disaster.

“Sometimes the same way players are frustrated on the pitch, I was frustrated on the touchline” said Mourinho. 

“Everyone in the stadium had a real cup match.

“It was a difficult match. If football was about how many times you arrive in scoring positions, we would win by a huge score.

“1-1 is not a disaster. We take the game home. We are in trouble with so many injuries. I took the players today that are available.”

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