Premier League
Team News: Tottenham Confirm Huge Injury Blow But Duo Return For Palace Trip
Tottenham have confirmed a huge injury blow ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace but two other players are back in contention.
Tottenham will look to put the pressure on the league leaders with a win when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
Mauricio Pochettino has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided a full team news and injury update ahead of the game including the latest on Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier, Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen.
Unfortunately the Spurs boss confirmed a huge blow with the news that Dembele has been ruled out until the New Year after scan results revealed the midfielder sustained ankle ligament damage during the 3-2 victory over Wolves last weekend.
Rose is also still missing as the left-back is continuing to nurse a groin strain that’s hampered him in recent weeks. Pochettino offered an update and revealed that the injury is taking longer than expected to recover and Rose could be out for another month.
The north Londoners will also have to make-do without Vertonghen this weekend and for the foreseeable future as he’s still working his way back to full fitness from a hamstring injury that’s expected to keep him on the sidelines until December.
However, there was more positive news on Dier as the England international could return to the squad against Palace after recovering from a thigh injury that kept him out of the recent games against Wolves and PSV Eindhoven.
In a further boost for Tottenham, Wanyama is also back in contention after resuming full training having missed the last month with a knee injury that he sustained during the October international break.
Spurs injury news: Mousa Dembele's ankle scans have confirmed ligament damage to right ankle and he is unlikely to be available until the New Year. Dier (thigh) and Wanyama (knee) have returned to training with the squad. Rose (groin) and Vertonghen (hamstring) – continuing rehab
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) November 8, 2018
Poch on Mousa Dembele: "We hope that from the beginning of January he will be ready. It's very dynamic the evolution of the recovery. Of course we have some players back like Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama, we'll see tomorrow if they can be fit for Saturday."
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) November 8, 2018
I asked Poch about Danny Rose and why he's been out longer that expected. After telling a story about meeting Rose this morning and wanting to find out what perfume he uses, he admitted it's been longer than they hoped, but he could be back a couple of weeks after the int break.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) November 8, 2018
Tottenham head in to the weekend action sitting fourth in the Premier League table but they can close to within just two points of leaders Manchester City if they beat Palace on Saturday evening.