Pochettino Offers Team News Update + Predicted Spurs XI To Face Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur will look to keep their slim hopes of a top four finish alive when they take on Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Mouricio Pochettino has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given a team news and injury update.

The Spurs boss was pleased to announce that Hugo Lloris is ‘close’ to making a return to action after missing the last two games with a knee injury that he picked up against Leicester.

The French international will be assessed on Friday but it seems he could be back in contention for the trip to St Mary’s this weekend.

The only remaining injury concerns for Tottenham is right-back Kyle Walker – who’s been ruled out for up to four weeks with a foot injury that he picked up against Burnley earlier this month.

Pochettino told reporters:

“He [Lloris] is close. Tomorrow we have another training session. We need to assess him but he has a chance to be selected for Saturday.

“It’s only Kyle Walker [who’s out with a foot injury], which you know. We assess Hugo tomorrow and if nothing special happens we expect that maybe only Kyle will be out of the squad, not able to be selected.”

From this team news, here is the starting eleven I think Pochettino will select on Saturday

Goalkeeper: Assuming Lloris comes through training okay tomorrow, I think we’ll see him return between the sticks this weekend.

Defence: With Walker ruled out, Eric Dier is set to continue at right-back having deputised there during last weeks 3-1 win at Newcastle. Danny Rose appears to have shaken off the knock that forced him off late on at St James’ Park so he should keep his place in defence alongside Jan Vertonghen and Federico Fazio.

Midfield: Ryan Mason was rested last time out so I think we’ll see the England youngster recalled against the Saints. Nabil Bentaleb is almost certain to keep his place so Paulinho is the man most likely to make way.

Attack: Spurs have no fresh injury worries in attack so we could see Pochettino keep faith with the front four that put three goals past Newcastle with Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela supporting Harry Kane. If the Spurs boss does want to mix things up, then Andros Townsend is pushing for a recall.

Here’s how I think Spurs will line-up for the game:

What do you think? What team would you select for the game?