Spurs Team News: Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Bayer But Key Duo Could Face Arsenal

Mauricio Pochettino has offered a team news update ahead of what’s going to be a pivotal week in Tottenham Hotspur’s season.

Spurs entertain Bayer Leverkusen at Wembley on Wednesday night in their Champions League group stage clash and Erik Lamela is a doubt for the game after picking up a knock in training.

Pochettino says the Argentinean international felt pain in his hip on Tuesday morning and will now face a late fitness test to see if he’ll be available to face the Bundesliga outfit tomorrow.

The Spurs boss told TottenhamHotspur.com:

“Erik felt his hip in training today. It’s a minor problem and we’ll see if he’s available for tomorrow.”

If Lamela is ruled out, he’ll join Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane in missing the big European tie as the key pair continue to work their way back to full fitness.

Alderweireld has been on the sidelines in recent weeks since suffering a knee injury last month and the problem hasn’t healed as quickly as Pochettino had initially hoped.

The Belgian international is out of the Bayer game as he’s been training away from the main squad and remains a major doubt to take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

However, there is a slightly better chance that Kane could make the North London Derby as the striker has been taking part in training today after stepping up his recovery from an ankle injury that’s kept him out for six weeks.

Pochettino says the England international will still miss the Bayer game but they are hopeful he’ll be back in contention to face the Gunners on Sunday – although the Mirror suggest he’ll only be able to make the bench at best.

The Tottenham boss is quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“He [Kane] won’t be ready for tomorrow night. Sunday maybe. We need to assess [his fitness].

“Harry and Toby had a special session today. We hope Harry will be back in full training on Thursday.”

“Toby is a little later than Harry, he’s doing well but he’s still out tomorrow and I’m not sure if he’ll be available for Sunday.”

It would be a huge boost for Spurs if Kane and Alderweireld were passed fit to face Arsenal as they are two of their most important players and the match on Sunday is going to be pivotal in the title race.

Tottenham head to their rivals sitting three points adrift of joint leaders Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool in the table so no doubt Pochettino will be praying his key duo are available this weekend.