Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that he would not swap striker Gonzalo Higuain for Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, if given a choice between the pair.

Speaking ahead of Juve's Champions League last-16 clash with Spurs, the Italian admitted that Kane is a "top-class striker" but claimed he would not force his way into the Old Lady's first XI at the expense of Higuain.

"Given the choice between Higuain and Kane, I would still pick Pipita as my number nine, even if Kane is a top-class striker," he told reporters during a pre-match press conference.

Higuain could lead the Juve attack as a lone striker when Spurs visit the Allianz Stadium for the first leg of the contest, as his fellow frontman Paulo Dybala is out with a hamstring strain.

Kane heads into the match with eight goals in his last seven matches, while Higuain has netted six in four.