Kane to miss a few games but could be back this year

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane will be out until late December at least, coach Vincent Kompany said on Monday.

The England captain suffered a hamstring problem in the 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and first misses Tuesday's German Cup third-round clash at home to holders Bayer Leverkusen

"It's always tough to say. There's a chance he'll play again this year. He'll definitely miss a few games," Kompany told a news conference.

"You can't replace him one-to-one. He's a top player. But we'll solve things differently. There will be no lack of talent tomorrow."

Bayern host Heidenheim in the Bundesliga at the weekend before a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk and trip to Mainz on December 14.

Their last match before a short mid-season break is at home to RB Leipzig on December 20 and Kompany appears to be targeting that game for a possible Kane return.

Thomas Müller replaced Kane against Dortmund and Kompany said the veteran was among those who can fil in for their star man going forward. Serge Gnabry missed the Dortmund game through injury but has a chance of facing Leverkusen.

"With Serge we need to see how he trains. We'll have to wait till the final hours before the game," Kompany said.

"We have several options - Thomas Müller, Mathys Tel, Gnabry, Michael Olise, Leroy Sane. Maybe not Kingsley Coman in that position. Harry has scored 20 goals. You can't replace that. But we have players who score goals, including Jamal (Musiala).

"We'll have a solution. We have enough players who can fulfil the role, even if you can't replace his goals one-to-one."

Despite Kompany saying Kane would be back soon, sporting director Christoph Freund inferred the club was prepared in case the injury takes longer to heal.

"We have complete faith in our squad. Harry is a special player, he is tough to replace. We won't buy a second Kane. We're very well covered in attack and will find a solution," he added.

Leverkusen stole Bayern's Bundesliga crown last season and then wrapped up the double in the Cup having not lost domestically all campaign.

Xabi Alonso's side, who drew 1-1 in Munich in September in the Bundesliga, have found the going tougher this term but appear to be hitting their stride.

Kompany said: "Leverkusen's squad is among the best. They have very good strikers. They can defend deep and did that against us in the league meeting. I don't know if they'll approach things in the same way this time. I hope we can play to our strengths and focus on ourselves, regardless of how Leverkusen play."