Tottenham Hotspur return to action on Thursday evening, with Europa League action on the agenda for Jose Mourinho.
Spurs host Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16 of the Europa League, and Mourinho has some selection dilemmas to figure out.
Does Dele Alli come back into the side? Can Carlos Vinicius step in for Harry Kane? Is it time for Son Heung-min to receive a rest?
Well, one player who won’t be in contention is Giovani Lo Celso, whose frustrating season has taken another hit.
The Argentinian hasn’t played at all in 2021, and has only managed eight starts across all competitions in a disappointing season.
Signed for £27million in January 2020 following a promising loan spell, Lo Celso just hasn’t got going this term, and his frustration will continue.
Speaking to Football.London today, Mourinho has confirmed that Lo Celso won’t play against Dinamo – but not because of a previous injury.
Instead, the playmaker now has back pain due to an accumulation of work in recovering from a prior injury, so his rehabilitation has now stopped in order to heal up with his back.
“Gio is not ready but it’s nothing to do with his previous important injury, from which he’s totally recovered,” said Mourinho. “But with his accumulation of work he’s got a bit of back pain so he’s had to stop what he’s doing. So not for this match,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
