JAN Bednarek is looking forward to the challenge of facing Tottenham ace Harry Kane.

Kane has scored in three of his last four matches since from returning from injury and is in typically good touch having netted 23 times for Spurs already this season.

The 25-year-old has also scored seven goals in his last six appearances against Saints, ahead of Bednarek’s first game against him.

Instead of hiding from the challenge that going up against Kane will present, the Polish international can’t wait to try and keep the hitman quiet.

“If you face better people, and are around better people, then you will become better,” explained the Saints defender.

“I think it’s better for me, and for everyone, that we face top teams because the level in the Premier League is the best in the world.

“I’m happy that I can face these players, so I can improve and do my best to stop them.

“I don’t think you have to focus on the fact that you are playing Harry Kane because that’s not the right way.

“You have to focus on how to be the best you can and to find solutions to how you can take him out of the game.

I don’t think too much about who I face, I think more about how I can stop him and that’s the main thing.

“We will focus on our own team and our shape.”

Saints head into today’s game knowing that a win will keep them outside of the relegation zone – above Cardiff – for the three-week break that will follow the final whistle.

And, although their recent record isn’t great against Spurs, picking up three points isn’t inconceivable.

The ex-Saints boss, and current Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino won’t be in the dugout for the match following his two-game suspension and £10,000 fine handed to him by the FA.

Pochettino is being punished for his actions towards referee Mike Dean following his side’s defeat to Burnley.

Despite the Spurs boss’ absence from the sideline, Bednarek believes it would be a waste of time for Saints to think it’s an advantage.

He added: “I don’t think we can really focus on that. We can’t think about the opponent, we have to focus on ourselves, which is the most important thing to think about.

“We have to think about our plans and try to execute them. It’s going to be a tough game. 

“We are facing a top team. We need to have a perfect game to get something from it and, hopefully, we will do that.

“We are going to have to work hard, execute our plan and give 100 per cent. That’s what we are going to do.”
Saints enter the fixture with a full week’s preparation, as opposed to Tottenham, who won their Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

“[Playing three days in a week] is more difficult, but we are all professionals that are always ready to play,” continued Bednarek.

“After playing two games, in the last game you can be a little bit tired. But you need to give from your heart and then it’s about mental work on the pitch. Sometimes you are tired, but we know working hard can end in getting a result.”