Key Man Set To Miss Tottenham’s Champions League Clash With Juventus

Mauricio Pochettino has decided not to include Toby Alderweireld in the Tottenham squad for their Champions League clash with Juventus, according to the Telegraph.

Spurs are due to fly out of London today ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash in Turin tomorrow night but Alderweireld will be left in the capital to work on his fitness.

The Belgian intentional only recently returned from a three month lay-off after suffering a serious hamstring injury during Tottenham’s group stage win over Real Madrid at the start of November.

The centre-back made his comeback during the FA Cup replay victory against Newport County last week and came through the 90 minutes unscathed as Tottenham booked their place in the fifth round.

Alderweireld declared himself fit and available for selection for the North London Derby against Arsenal but Pochettino decided to leave him out of the squad at the weekend.

Many assumed the Spurs boss was saving him for the Juventus clash, however, the Telegraph claim Alderweireld has not been included in the squad for the biggest game of Tottenham’s season so far.

No doubt the 28-year-old will be hugely disappointed to miss out on the Champions League clash but Pochettino has decided to take a cautious approach to his comeback from injury and doesn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.

In Alderweireld’s absence, Davinson Sanchez should continue alongside Jan Vertonghen in the middle of defence and the young Colombian has been impressive since his move last summer so he’ll be hoping to continue his fine form against Juve.