Harry Kane is a concern ahead of Bayern's visit to Aston Villa

Harry Kane raised concerns among Bayern Munich fans after sustaining a knock to his ankle during the final minutes of the 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the fifth round of the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The English striker, who has been in sensational form since joining the German giants, had to be substituted in the 86th minute, with veteran Thomas Muller coming on to replace him. Bayern Munich later released a statement calming initial fears, noting that Kane had “shown positive progress” and would continue to “receive intensive treatment” in the coming days.

Kane has quickly established himself as a key figure for Bayern, tallying five goals and four assists in his first five Bundesliga appearances, and his departure from the field against Leverkusen naturally sparked concern ahead of a critical week for the club. The upcoming Champions League clash with Aston Villa looms large, with Bayern set to travel to England for a high-stakes match in the second round of the competition.

Despite his promising recovery, there is still uncertainty about Kane’s fitness for Wednesday’s game. Sky Sports reports that the striker’s participation is still in question, with his starting role dependent on how well his ankle responds to treatment over the next few days. Given Kane’s importance to the team’s attacking lineup, his availability could be a decisive factor in Bayern’s approach to the game.

Speaking after the match, Kane addressed the situation, admitting that the injury was initially quite painful. "At first, it was very painful, and it was frustrating to miss the last five or ten minutes of the game," he said, reflecting on his early exit from the Leverkusen match. However, the England captain sounded optimistic about his chances of recovering in time for the Champions League fixture, adding that he feels "okay" to face Aston Villa.

Bayern Munich, under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel, will be eager to ensure Kane is in the best condition possible, especially as they face a formidable challenge in Aston Villa, who have been performing well under Unai Emery in the Premier League. Kane’s absence would not only affect Bayern’s attacking potency but also disrupt the momentum they have been building since his arrival.

With the striker receiving daily medical attention, Bayern’s medical staff will closely monitor his recovery, hoping to clear him for the midweek match. Kane’s potential involvement could be a psychological boost for Bayern, who will be seeking to assert their dominance in the Champions League early on.

If Kane is unable to start, Tuchel may have to look to Muller, who, despite being an experienced and versatile player, offers a different dynamic compared to Kane’s all-round play. Other attacking options like Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, or Jamal Musiala could be called upon to fill the void, but none possess the same presence and goal-scoring threat as Kane.

Bayern’s fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on Kane’s condition, knowing that his presence on the pitch could be the key to overcoming Aston Villa. For now, it remains a race against time to ensure the striker is fit and ready to lead Bayern’s attack in what promises to be a crucial Champions League encounter.