Tottenham news: Harry Kane admits it was difficult to watch his Spurs 'family'

The 23-year-old striker returned to the side and scored from the spot to earn a 1-1 draw in this season's first north London derby

Kane levelled from the penalty spot in the draw at the Emirates (Getty)

Harry Kane has admitted that it was difficult watching his Tottenham Hotspur “family” play without him during his recent spell on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old striker returned from an ankle injury to start in Sunday’s north London derby at Arsenal and subsequently scored from the penalty spot to secure a 1-1 draw.

Tottenham’s form dipped during Kane’s absence and Mauricio Pochettino’s men remain without a win in their last seven, which has only made it harder for the England international to watch on.

“It has been difficult, especially with the team going through a bit of a spell where we haven't been winning games,” he said.

“It's hard. It's like watching my family - I just want to be out there helping them. But it's part of it.

“I was there training with the team, I was around them. It has been a difficult spell for us but we came out against Arsenal and played very well, we could have even nicked it.”

Kane, who had been absent since September’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland, was pleased to mark his return with a goal, despite his side only picking up a point against their historic rivals.

“It's what it's all about. I'm in the team to score goals. I try and score as many as I can in the season to help the team out. Whenever I'm on the pitch I feel confident.

“I had a header in the first half which went just wide, an effort at the back post which I didn't get the best contact on and I obviously scored a penalty. It was great to be back in those situations and to be back among the goals.”

Pochettino opted for a back three at the Emirates, altering his usual 4-2-3-1 set-up in reaction to Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

The Argentine only informed his players of the change a day before the derby but Eric Dier, who operated as one of the three in the centre of defence, believes this benefitted his players.

“We worked on it in training [on Saturday] and we came here and played it, it was probably a good thing because we didn't think too much about it and we got on with it.

“The manager thought it was best to play this formation and it was a risk that shows our character and our attitude. We are not afraid to do anything and try anything, we did that and I think it paid off.

“In the week people were talking about Tottenham being in crisis, we haven't lost yet in the Premier League. Obviously the Champions League was disappointing but I think it is funny when you're unbeaten in the league and it is a crisis.”