Arsenal
Tottenham Boss Confirms Major Injury Blow But 5 Players Fit For Arsenal Trip
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Toby Alderweireld’s injury is worse than first feared but five other players are set to be fit to face Arsenal
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Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Toby Alderweireld’s injury is worse than first feared but five other players are set to be fit to face Arsenal this weekend.
Alderweireld was forced off during Tottenham’s 3-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid at the start of the month after sustaining a hamstring injury during the early stages of the game.
The Belgian international was initially expected to be out for up to three weeks, however, Pochettino has confirmed the injury is worse than first anticipated with the centre-back ruled out until the New Year.
It means Alderweireld could miss at least ten games including league matches against Arsenal, West Brom, Leicester, Watford, Stoke, Brighton, Man City, Burnley and Southampton while the defender will also sit out Champions League games against Borussia Dortmund and Apoel Nicosia.
Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Pochettino is quoted as saying byYahoo Sports:
“We expect longer than we previously [thought] when the problem happened. Maybe after Christmas – that is the expectation.
“He feels normal – disappointed. It’s a little bit sad but in the same way he’s focused now on trying to recover as soon as possible. He’s working hard, in the first stage of rehab. We’re happy but with this type of injury we must be cautious, and it’s a process of time. We need to wait.”
Alderweireld’s absence means Eric Dier is expected to move into defence against Arsenal with Mousa Dembele pushing to return to midfield after declaring himself fully fit following a foot problem.
There was more positive news for Tottenham as Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Harry Winks, Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm were all able to take part in full training today.
Kane [knee], Alli [hamstring] and Winks [ankle] all pulled out of the England squad due to knocks but have made swift recoveries meaning they should be in contention to face Arsenal.
Lloris missed the win over Crystal Palace before the international break with a hip injury while Vorm has been struggling with a knee problem but the goalkeeping duo are also set to return this weekend.
However, Victor Wanyama will continue to miss out as the midfielder is still struggling to overcome a knee injury that’s hampered him in recent months.
TEAM NEWS: @dele_official (hamstring), @HKane (knee), Hugo Lloris (groin), @Vorm_Official (knee) & @HarryWinks (ankle) have returned to full training for the first time today. pic.twitter.com/oToz78juGt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 16, 2017
TEAM NEWS: @AlderweireldTob (hamstring) & @VictorWanyama (knee} continue their rehabilitation from injury. pic.twitter.com/f16X2Zroio
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 16, 2017
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