Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino admits the club must “assess” three players ahead of their Premier League clash with Sheffield United.
Spurs were dominant in the Champions League midweek as they beat Red Star Belgrade 4-0. Yet a trio that started that night are now doubtful for Saturday’s match with the Blades.
“Now we’ve finished the game we need to assess all the players now,” Pochettino told football.london.
“We need to assess Dele (Alli), we need to assess Tanguy (Ndombele), we need to assess Giovani (Lo Celso).”
Lo Celso in particular was a standout performer in Serbia, scoring his first goal for Tottenham after being handed a rare start by Pochettino.
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Who else could be missing for Tottenham against Sheffield United?
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The Evening Standard reports that Erik Lamela and Jan Vertonghen are unlikely to play against United. The duo both have thigh injuries and are expected to miss the 3pm kickoff at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The only long-term injury for Spurs is captain Hugo Lloris. The goalkeeper has now undergone surgery on his dislocated elbow and is hoping to return to action in January.
Luckily for Pochettino he does have top scorer Harry Kane back. Kane was suffering with a virus that kept him out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Everton.
Yet the England international had recovered enough by Wednesday to play the full 90 minutes.
Pochettino will also be able to call upon Heung-Min Son after the forward had his red card rescinded. Son was sent off at Goodison Park for a tackle on Andre Gomes that left the midfielder with a horrific injury.
Pochettino also had the luxury of being able to rest several players in Belgrade. Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Ben Davies and Harry Winks played no part, while Christian Eriksen came off the bench.
All five should therefore be fit and refreshed for Saturday.