Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says Dele Alli’s hamstring injury has come at the “worst moment”, the gaffer has told PA Sport.
Alli has been ruled out until early March after sustaining the problem in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Fulham, the third time he has suffered a hamstring injury this season.
The 22-year-old joins Harry Kane in the treatment room and the influential pair are going to miss a crucial part of Spurs’ campaign, starting with the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Chelsea on Thursday.
They are also set to miss the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Crystal Palace, the Champions League last-16 first leg against Borussia Dortmund, the Carabao Cup final if they beat Chelsea and a host of important Premier League games, potentially including the north London derby.
Pochettino said:
“Now we need to be positive like with Harry Kane. Of course, we are going to miss him for a long period.
“It’s one of the worst moments because we have ahead very busy fixtures.
“You know very well that for us the squad is very important and of course it’s a very good opportunity for other players to step up.”
Pochettino’s stretched squad, which is also missing Son Heung-min to international duty, has further highlighted the club’s lack of transfer activity in the last two windows.
“I think this transfer window is always the most difficult transfer window and you know very well because I’m seeing you every day, there are not too many transfers, with a lot of loans.
“It’s difficult to find the right players for all the clubs. Of course we’re Tottenham and to find the right profile to help us I think is going to be difficult. But we’re trying, we’re trying to deliver something.”
Mauricio Pochettino
Many of you have repeatedly screamed at me the you are enjoying the ride.
Where you at, white boys?