Tottenham have omitted Timo Werner from their updated Europa League squad

Tottenham Hotspur have announced their renewed Europa League squad, and there are quite a few surprises.

Ange Postecoglou’s side booked their ticket straight into the last 16 after finishing fourth in the 36-team league phase. They collected 17 points from a possible 24 to finish behind Lazio, Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United.

A 3-0 win over Swedish side IF Elfsborg on the final game of the league phase guaranteed Spurs a place in the last 16 without the need for a two-legged playoff, and they are set to face one of Galatasaray, Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar or FC Midtjylland in the next stage.

Tottenham were allowed to make three changes to the squad ahead of the knockout fixtures. There were a couple of notable omissions from the updated Europa League squad, as Timo Werner who was involved in the league phase, was dropped. Ange Postecoglou made three changes to his squad, with new signings Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso joining the squad along with rejuvenated full-back Djed Spence.

Radu Dragusin, whose season is over following an ACL injury suffered in the recent win over IF Elfsborg, has been dropped out of the squad along with veteran goalkeeper Fraser Forster, while January recruit Antonin Kinsky failed to make the cut. Timo Werner, Forster and Kinsky will therefore not be eligible to feature for Spurs for the rest of the competition.

Now, according to GIVEMESPORT chief correspondent Ben Jacobs, Tottenham are not expected to exercise their option to sign Werner permanently from RB Leipzig at the end of the season. The German forward has not made much of an impact this season after re-signing on loan from RB Leipzig, registering one goal and three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.

He was criticised by Big Ange after Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Rangers at the Ibrox in the Europa League. Werner is expected back from a calf problem within the next couple of weeks but he will know he could have made a better case for himself, especially with skipper Son Heung-min struggling to deliver the goods consistently this season.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• “It is time to go…” – Ex-scout thinks Tottenham player whose contract ends in the summer can leave in the January window
• “He is good enough…” – Club insider asks Tottenham to bring in 26yo forward who has struggled for game time
• “That is an option for Tottenham…” – Journalist backs Levy to move for defender that was once wanted by Conte at N17

All in all, it looks like the end of the road for Werner at Spurs, and the versatile forward’s ousting from the club’s Europa League knockout squad is another indicator of how little trust Big Ange has now in him.