Danny Rose is set to make his first Tottenham start in almost nine months against West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
But Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino admits Erik Lamela is still not ready to return, despite hopes the winger would feature against the Hammers at Wembley.
Rose came on for the last 10 minutes of Tottenham’s Champions League draw with Real Madrid last week but his appearance off the bench was partly forced due to injuries elsewhere.
Asked at his pre-match press conference if Rose could be in the line-up to face West Ham, Pochettino said: “Yes, we need to wait until tomorrow. But in my head maybe there is a possibility for him to start the game tomorrow, yes.”
The news regarding Lamela, however, was less positive. Pochettino had said last week this match could see Lamela make his long-awaited return but the Argentinian is still not ready for competitive action.
Lamela last played against Liverpool, also in the League Cup, on October 25 last year before suffering a hip injury in training.
“Erik is not on the list, he is doing well but he is not available,” Pochettino said.
“I don’t know how close [he is]. After nearly one year out, I cannot say tomorrow, one week or one month.”
Mousa Dembele is back in training after also struggling with a hip injury but the Belgian is unlikely to be risked, with a visit to Manchester United in the Premier League to come on Saturday.
TEAM NEWS: @mousadembele (hip) back in training. @VictorWanyama (knee) continuing his rehabilitation and his progress is being monitored. pic.twitter.com/mf6bZ0ESiS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 24, 2017
Harry Kane will also be rested, meaning a rare start for Fernando Llorente up front, while Michel Vorm will replace Hugo Lloris in goal. Victor Wanyama remains sidelined with a knee problem.
“We are resting players because they need to rest and because we don’t want to take risks,” Pochettino said.
“But we are going to play with the players that can be fresh and ready to compete. It is a derby and we want to go to the next stage of the Carabao Cup.”
Source: By PA Sport Staff
