Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has told Football London that Tanguy Ndombele and Eric Dier have been left behind as they are both nursing knocks.
Tottenham travelled to Belgium yesterday as they prepare to face Antwerp in the Europa League this evening, and Mourinho will be forced into making some changes.
Dier started for Spurs on Monday evening against Burnley, but is just returning from injury, and Mourinho did not want to risk him tonight.
Ndombele, meanwhile, has been feeling a little discomfort since Monday night’s game against Turf Moor and he also won’t be selected.
“We left Dier behind because he comes from muscular injury in the national team, so to come from playing Monday night would be a risk to play here so he’s not coming,” Mourinho said.
“Tanguy Ndombele’s also not coming because he felt a little bit. Of course we are not going to risk when we have other options. We have other options for centre-back and we have other options for Tanguy’s position. These are the only two players who stay behind and apart from that everyone is coming.”
With Dier out, Tottenham could well use Ben Davies in central defence again.
Joe Rodon would look like the natural replacement for Dier, but he was signed too late to be registered for the competition and is ineligible.
Harry Winks looks a candidate to take Ndombele’s place in the team.
Winks was not even in Tottenham’s squad on Monday, and Mourinho could well be keen to get the England international some game time later.
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