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Mousa Dembele set for surgery as Tottenham star is left out of squad bound for Hong Kong

Spurs still hope Dembele will play a part in their pre-season campaign, which starts in early July: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Spurs still hope Dembele will play a part in their pre-season campaign, which starts in early July: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Mousa Dembele has been left out of Tottenham’s squad for a friendly in Hong Kong as he prepares to undergo surgery on his foot this week.

The Belgium midfielder has played through the pain barrier in recent matches but was able to start only one of Spurs’ last five games of the season.

Tottenham will now try to cure the problem once and for all although they still hope Dembele will play a part in their pre-season campaign, which starts in early July.

Apart from Dembele, all Spurs’ main first-team players will make the trip - except Danny Rose, Erik Lamela and Harry Winks, who are unavailable due to injury. Kyle Walker is expected to leave the club this summer but has still been included in the squad, and is also one of four Tottenham players asked to make a promotional trip to Seoul, South Korea, from May 23-25.

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Ben Davies, Kevin Wimmer and Heung-min Son will also go to the capital city for what Spurs describe as “opportunity to further engage with local fans, as well as providing a number of touch points to attract new supporters”.

The quartet will then join the their colleagues in Hong Kong for the friendly against Kitchee SC on Friday.

Harry Kane is also included in the party after retaining the Premier League Golden Boot. Kane scored a hat-trick in the 7-1 win at Hull, after he struck four times in the 6-1 victory at Leicester three days earlier. That made it 35 for the season in all competitions, with 29 of those coming in the league. Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, Kane has 94 goals for the club.

“Anyone can be a good striker but to be a great striker you have to do it consistently,” said Kane. “To win the Golden Boot back to back is something I am very proud of, in such a difficult league against some top strikers, and after being out injured as well. Hopefully next year I can go and get it again.

“It has been incredible, scoring eight goals in the last week of a Premier League season. I have had a couple of setbacks this year with ankle injuries but it has only made me stronger. Scoring 29 goals in 30 league games makes me really proud.

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“It shows good determination and it shows how good this team is. It’s about showing a winning mentality — every game we go into, whether it’s a friendly or a game that won’t affect our league position, we have to try to win it. The team create so many chances that I just have to make sure I am in the position to take them, and it is a dream to play for this team.

“We beat Leicester 6-1 and Hull 7-1 in the final two games of the season, which just shows that mentality. We’ve got to take that momentum into next. We will enjoy the international games, and our break, and come back hungrier.”

With an uncertain summer ahead, Kane’s commitment to the cause should give Spurs comfort. The 23-year-old seems certain to be at Spurs for years to come. Walker, however, looks very likely to depart, with Manchester City prepared to double his £70,000-a-week salary, while Manchester United are interested in Eric Dier and Dele Alli has been coy about his long-term future.