Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Christian Eriksen’s absence against APOEL Nicosia.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the Daily Express that he won’t cry over Christian Eriksen’s absence against APOEL Nicosia.
Spurs beat West Ham United 3-2 at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Harry Kane scoring twice before Christian Eriksen made it 3-0 after the break.
West Ham hit back with goals from Javier Hernandez and Cheikhou Kouyate either side of Serge Aurier’s red card, but Spurs managed to hang on for the 3-2 victory – and now it’s back to the Champions League for Tottenham.
Spurs won their opening game of the Champions League group stage with a 3-1 home victory over Borussia Dortmund, but they must now travel to Cyprus to take on APOEL Nicosia.
It’s a tricky away trip for Spurs, especially with so many players out of action, as Danny Rose, Victor Wanyama and Erik Lamela remain out through injury, whilst Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli are both suspended.
Now, Tottenham have been dealt another blow as Eriksen will miss the game through illness, and has been left in London to recuperate ahead of the weekend clash with Huddersfield Town.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has now told the Daily Express that Tottenham will miss Eriksen, but he won’t cry about his absence and Spurs must move on with the Dane on Tuesday night.
Pochettino is determined not to use so many absences as an excuse, and wants Eriksen’s replacement to step up and fill his position in Cyprus.
“It’s not an excuse to have some players out of the squad,” said Pochettino. “Christian is a very important player for us. It’s true we will miss him but we need to move on, we need to find a way to play and perform and try to win. He is ill, he stays in London, and we trust the player who comes into his position. I am not a manager who cries because a player cannot play,” he added.
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