Tottenham Hotspur take on Southampton tomorrow as Mauricio Pochettino heads back to St Mary’s to face his former club once more.
Since the defeat at Manchester City, Pochettino’s side have swatted opponents aside with a swagger. Only West Ham have taken a point from us, as we have secured dominant victories over Burnley, Southampton, Swansea and Everton.
From the latest injury news to transfer rumours, the Spurs boss gave updates at his pre-match press conference. Ahead of the game on Sunday, Pochettino revealed that goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is a doubt for the encounter due to illness.
The club are monitoring his condition ahead of the trip to St. Mary’s with our boss being unsure if the Frenchman would be fit in time to face the Saints.
“I don’t know. Difficult to say. We need to wait today and tomorrow and then assess him tomorrow and if he’s available or not,” Pochettino was quoted football.london.
“I think it’s a flu or a virus. It’s between this. I think everyone, with this weather, apart from today’s fantastic weather, has struggled a little bit. It’s an epidemic across Europe not just here in the UK.”
Meanwhile, defender Toby Alderweireld has returned to training and could play in the FA Cup next weekend, according to our manager. The Belgian has not played since hurting his knee against Real Madrid in the Champions League at the start of November last year.
It was initially thought the centre-back would struggle to attain full fitness before February but Pochettino has indicated that Alderweireld is on track for an early comeback against Newport.
“Next week? I think they are not right. Maybe today if all is ok with him then tomorrow he can integrate himself in some exercise with the group and a little bit step by step build his fitness to be available again. Tomorrow, but if all is ok with scan today,” Poch added.
“Yes, I am very pleased when the players that are injured and you can see at the end are in their preparation to return like Harry Winks or in this case, Toby or Danny Rose.
“I think every manager wants all their players fit and available to select. That is the most important thing. We have a very busy period ahead and we need all the team fit and available to play.”
“He will do a warm-up with the team, the first exercise and to be integrated gradually with the group and we will see next week if he can improve and then be ready as soon as possible.”
We have been linked with a number of players in the ongoing transfer window but we’re yet to sign a single player this month.
When asked about transfer business, he explained: “To be honest, it’s difficult but in some point you always dream. But not too much exciting. If happen, it happens, if not happen, then not happen. We’re happy with the squad.”
Ahead of the game against his old club, our gaffer was asked about Southampton, to which he replied:
“It’s so special for me. I spent an amazing time – one and a half years, amazing for us and our families. Today was our debut against Everton, five years ago, we played our first game. We knew one or two words in English in that moment.
“It was fantastic. Southampton opened the door to England, the Premier League and then to myself, opened a different language for me. That is so important to me.”
Everton found out their fate last week to stop this full-flowing Spurs team will be easier said than done. Southampton would do well to be wary of this when they enter the pitch.
