The Tottenham Hotspur forward discusses what is driving the players on, reflects on the dubious second away goal at Stoke and talks his fitness

Harry Kane says Saturday’s victory at Stoke shows Tottenham Hotspur have no intention of taking their foot off the gas in the Premier League or saving their energy for their showdowns with the Manchester clubs.

Spurs headed to the bet365 Stadium with room for error in the battle for Champions League spots, lying eight points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea.

More glamorous matches lie ahead – a meeting with champions-elect Manchester City next weekend and then an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 21.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s men focused on the task in hand and ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win at Stoke.

“The Chelsea game was massive to create that gap. Now it’s important we finish strongly,” said Kane.

“We’ve got to make sure we don’t take our foot off the gas, and the gaffer is very good at that, motivating the players and making sure we stay on it.

“It’s just the mindset he’s instilled into us, that we train hard every day, every week, giving everything 110 per cent.

“You’re going to have to make challenges [in matches like Saturday’s], you’re going to have to fight and run about. You can’t think too far ahead. It’s one game at a time and this was an important win.

“We’ve got a big game next week and then we’ve got to look forward to the FA Cup and games like that, but all we can do is control what we do on the pitch and we did well [at Stoke].

“We managed to win and that’s important, especially when you’re playing teams near the bottom, because they fight for everything.

“Do these games get tougher towards the end of the season? Definitely, I think so, especially away from home. Stoke are fighting for everything, they’re fighting to stay in the Premier League, and everyone knows how big a prize that is.”

Kane thought he had scored Spurs’ second goal in the Potteries, getting the slightest of touches on Christian Eriksen’s free kick before it hit the net. But video replays were inconclusive and the Premier League have awarded the strike to Eriksen.

“I swear on my daughter’s life that I touched the ball, but there’s nothing I can do,” said Kane. “If they turn it around, they turn it around. If they take my word, they take my word.

“The most important thing is we won the game. It was tough at times against Stoke, who are fighting for every point, so it was important we got over the line.”

Kane played for the full match at the bet365 Stadium, having returned from an ankle ligament injury as a substitute in Spurs’ previous match at Chelsea.

“I feel good,” he said. “It was good to get the minutes last week and the 90 minutes this time. It’s all positive. The ankle feels fine.

“We’ve got another week now to train and get it stronger and stronger, and that’s what I’ll continue to do for the rest of the year.

“It happened similarly [with my injury] last year and I came back strong, and that’s what I’m aiming to do this year and take that into the summer [at the World Cup].”