After having just returned from a trip to Germany, Tottenham will be going into yet another match as they visit Bournemouth this weekend. It probably is not the best time to be playing the Cherries, who will be on a high after having secured a 6-1 win against Hull City. Of course, Hull City are not the best opponents by any means, but the six goals coupled with the week’s preparation places them as a formidable opposition nonetheless. Spurs will be finding all about the rigours of playing in the Champions League, as the small squad may find it difficult to rejuvenate quickly in time for the weekend.
To make matters worse, Spurs will be without left-back Danny Rose amongst other key players, reports BBC. The left back was spotted wearing a protective covering for his feet just after the game against Bayer Leverkusen. Rose was just recalled to the starting line-up after being rested for the 1-1 draw against West Brom last weekend. Ben Davies played as the left back in the absence of Rose and it is likely that Davies will continue in a similar role against Bournemouth.
“We need to assess Danny tomorrow,” reported manager Mauricio Pochettino after training on Thursday. “He has a bruised foot. We need to wait to see what happens tomorrow and then see if he’s available or not.”
The biggest absentees, though, will be Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld. Even though Kane has just returned from a long-term injury and has been taking part in training, this match comes a little too soon for the England striker. It is feasible to expect Kane back in the first-team by the start of November. Alderweireld was lucky to escape a serious injury last weekend. Scans have revealed that the injury suffered by the player in the game against West Brom is not as serious and that he would be returning in a couple of weeks, but BBC has mentioned that he will be one of those absentees for the game.
Mauricio Pochettino already spoke in doubt about the possibility of Alderweireld featuring against Bournemouth.
“It’s good news on Toby but it’s still painful because it was a heavy knock on his leg. He’s out. He’s doing well but it’s still painful.”
The defender could return to first-team action for the game against Leicester City. In the absence of Alderweireld, midfielder Eric Dier was played as the centre back partner for Jan Vertonghen and the combination worked out really well and Spurs managed to keep yet another clean sheet in the European competition. The same pairing is expected to continue against Bournemouth, but they have a much more potent forward lineup – featuring Callum Wilson and Ibe – to deal with.
Pochettino has been rotating his squad in order to avoid burnout even at this early stage of the campaign. Kyle Walker was a casualty of this policy in the midweek action. However, he is expected to return to the starting line-up for the game at the Vitality stadium on Saturday.
