Dele Alli has been forced to miss Tottenham’s Premier League showdown with Crystal Palace due to a hamstring injury.
The 21-year-old suffered the strain after scoring twice in the 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at Wembley as Spurs booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino insisted the injury is only ‘minor’ in his pre-match interview with BT Sport, while Alli has also been ruled out of England’s upcoming friendlies with Germany and Brazil.
Dele Alli out of Crystal Palace clash and upcoming England friendlies with hamstring injury
Ahead of Roy Hodgson’s Palace visit, Pochettino said: ‘Dele suffered a minor injury in his hamstring after the game against Real Madrid,’ he said. ‘It’s not a big issue but he cannot be available, like Hugo (Lloris), like Vorm who suffered yesterday.
The 21-year-old will join Michel Vorm (knee) and Hugo Lloris (groin) on Mauricio Pochettino’s growing injury list that still includes Erik Lamela, ahead of Sunday’s Wembley clash as Spurs look to close the gap on Manchester United and Manchester City.
‘No big issue, but a minor issue in his knee,’ Pochettino added on Vorm’s condition. ‘Yes, in some period it happens, but that is why the squad is so important and why everyone feels part of the project and for me an issue that happens during the season.’
Alli impressed against Real Madrid on Wednesday night but suffered the strain at full time
With the Spurs midfielder also ruled out for international friendlies against Germany and Brazil
With his first choice goalkeepers absent, Pochettino was forced to hand former Southampton keeper Paulo Gazzaniga an unlikely debut as Spurs sought to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United and Manchester City.
Pochettino’s side are stuck in a constant state of injury limbo of late, with Moussa Dembele returning against Manchester United last Saturday and Danny Rose, who was awarded a start against Palace, returning in their 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu last month.
Alli replaces Harry Kane with a hamstring injury after striker returned in Real win
‘It’s a good chance for him (Rose),’ Pochettino said. ‘A good opportunity. He is going to the national team this week.
‘Step by step he is improving his confidence and fitness. After 10 months it is difficult to compete again.’
But as some return, others leave with Alli – Spurs’ third hamstring casualty of the season – following Toby Alderweireld, who suffered the same fate in Wednesday’s win, while Harry Kane made his return from his hamstring issues against Real the same night.
Working hard is a key trait of any Pochettino side, none more so than his current Spurs side, who have looked relentless at times in their efforts to win back possession.
But is the Argentine working his players a little too hard? Jermaine Jenas certainly thought so.
Toby Alderweireld suffered the same fate as Tottenham’s third hamstring injury of the season
Skipper Hugo Lloris is absent as well as No 2 Michel Vorm for Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace
‘Yes he does (work his players hard), but you have to take the rough with the smooth,’ the former Spurs man said on BT Sport.
‘When you watch them play, the intensity they have on the pitch, and how many times have we sat here and gone: ‘Oh, they’re so fit’… it’s amazing at the back end of the season, how much energy they have still got.
‘That is because of how hard he trains them and how hard they work. Every now and again it bites you.
‘Right now, those injuries he’s sustained to the squad will hurt him. They will have a look at it, I’m sure, and see if they’re doing too much.
‘I know pretty well how he trains the players, and I’m sure they’ll continue in the way they are.’