Spurs Team News: Pochettino Confirms Duo Face Late Fitness Tests Ahead Of Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to give their title hopes a major boost when they entertain North London rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane tomorrow afternoon.

Ahead of the game, 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 has confirmed that Dele Alli will be assessed at today’s final training session as the young midfielder has been carrying a minor ankle knock which he picked up against Swansea City last weekend.

However, the Argentinean coach is expecting Alli to be passed fit to face the Gunners after coming through a 30 minute substitute appearance against West Ham on Wednesday night unscathed.

Pochettino also revealed that Mousa Dembele will be handed a late fitness test at training this afternoon to see if he’ll be available for selection against Arsenal on Saturday.

The Belgian midfielder has missed the last three games after suffering a groin injury last month but Pochettino is ready to give him every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the North London derby.

The Spurs boss is quoted as saying by the clubs Twitter account:

“Today’s the last session & if he’s OK then maybe he’s available for tomorrow.”

“He’s OK but we need to assess him too. We’re happy with how he was in the last 30 mins at West Ham.”

It will be a big boost if Alli and Dembele are passed fit for Tottenham as they’ve both been vital parts of Pochettino’s starting eleven in recent months and they’ll want them available for what promises to be one of the most important NLD’s in recent memory.

Spurs head in to the weekend action holding a three-point cushion over Arsenal but with Leicester still three points ahead at the top of the table, Pochettino will be desperate for a win tomorrow to not only close the gap on the leaders, but to also severely dent the Gunners’ title hopes.

Mauricio on @mousadembele: “Today's the last session & if he’s OK then maybe he’s available for tomorrow.” #COYS pic.twitter.com/Q7uN5ZQvkW

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 4, 2016

Mauricio on @Dele_Alli: "He’s OK but we need to assess him too. We’re happy with how he was in the last 30 mins at West Ham." #COYS

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 4, 2016