Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho says star striker Harry Kane 'optimistic' he will return in two weeks

England captain missed defeat against Brighton but is upbeat about recovery timescale

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane reacts after sustaining an injury during the match against Liverpool. Reuters

Harry Kane hurt both his ankles against Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Getty

Tottenham Hotspur's striker Harry Kane is likely to be out for a few weeks. AFP

Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their third goal against Tottenham. Reuters

Liverpool's Sadio Mane scores their third goal. Reuters

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides second goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Getty

Liverpool's defender Trent Alexander-Arnold scores their second goal. AFP

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp talks to Roberto Firmino. EPA

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho revealed that star striker Harry Kane is "optimistic" he can return from his latest injury setback in two weeks.

Kane was missed during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Brighton after damaging both ankles in last week's 3-1 loss to champions Liverpool.

The England captain has undergone scans and, according to his manager, is upbeat about a swift recovery.

He will almost certainly miss successive home games against Chelsea and West Brom, as well as the FA Cup fifth-round trip to Everton, but could be back to face Premier League leaders Manchester City on February 13.

"The news is pretty good news," said Mourinho in a video posted on Spurs' Twitter account. "On the day of the Liverpool game, [we had] no idea. Then, the next day, we were thinking about three weeks, something like that.

"I do not want to be super optimistic but Harry is optimistic. He has the experience of some injuries in ankles and in Harry's mind it is a couple of weeks, so let's see if he is right."

Kane has scored or assisted 23 of Tottenham's 34 Premier League goals this season.

Real Madrid loan player Gareth Bale was given a rare opportunity to impress in his absence against Albion but was largely ineffectual, while Brazilian forward Carlos Vinicius went closest to an equaliser after coming off the bench.

"We lost a match, and when we lose a match, we lose a match, we lose all together. We don't lose because of one player, or one bad performance. We lose together," said Mourinho, who is not anticipating any transfer dealings on deadline day.

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Brighton 1 Spurs 0; player ratings

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"So I don't think it's fair, especially for myself, in representation of my team, I don't think it's fair to answer to you to that question, especially now.

"If that question comes in a great moment for the team, and after a victory, and when Gareth like the team plays a good game, it's easier for me to answer to you. I don't want to do that. We lost, and we all lost."

Uncertainty lingers, though, over the future of midfielder Dele Alli, who has been linked with a loan to Paris Saint-Germain, managed by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

The England midfielder has been out of favour under Mourinho, rarely featuring in the Premier League this season.

The Portuguese said last week he was not expecting Alli to leave but admitted "sometimes unexpected things can happen".