Pochettino: Hands off Kane
Mauricio Pochettino has warned off any suitors for Harry Kane, insisting the striker will be at Tottenham "for a long time".
The England Under-21 international is the club's top scorer this season, netting six times, but has yet to start a game in the Barclays Premier League.
So far he has excelled when given the chance in the Europa League, with last week's hat-trick against Asteras Tripolis taking his tally to five, while he also scored in the Capital One Cup victory over Nottingham Forest.
Wednesday's fourth-round match against Brighton will provide another opportunity for Kane to prove his worth to Pochettino - who prefers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado in the league.
And the former Southampton boss was forced to refute suggestions that Kane might be on the way out of White Hart Lane in January, with the Saints and Swansea both reportedly circling.
"This is not the moment to talk about what may happen in January because that is two months ahead and we need to focus on improving different areas of the team," said Pochettino.
"Harry will be at Tottenham for a long time. I am the head coach, I have to take decisions in the best interests of the team and Harry is an important player for us."
Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon are others under consideration to return to the Spurs starting XI, with Kyle Naughton and Federico Fazio both returning to the squad following injury and suspension respectively.
Sami Hyypia comes up against some familiar foes having regularly locked horns with Spurs during his successful 10 years as a centre-half with Liverpool.
The Finn is finding management in England a little tougher, with Brighton languishing one place above the relegation zone following 10 Sky Bet Championship matches without a win.
However, Hyypia has urged his struggling side to play with no fear when they run out at White Hart Lane.
"I don't fear any game. Anything can happen. The score can be anything," he told the Argus.
"We can go there and win, we can go there and lose. It's very important that we concentrate on how we play there and how we present ourselves.
"We need to have the courage, we don't have to fear them. They have good individuals and they can really hurt you if they are on top of their game but we don't have to fear them."
Winger Kazenga LuaLua is back in the squad after serving a one-match ban over the weekend, but Sam Baldock is cup-tied.
Fellow striker Craig Mackail-Smith could miss out again with a hamstring injury and right-back Bruno is struggling with groin trouble while long-term injury victims Solly March, Dale Stephens and Andrew Crofts are still out.
Hyypia added: "I am not sure what kind of line-up we will put out. We don't have a lot of options at the moment. We have some injury worries and Sam can't play because he is cup-tied, so we'll see.
"I'd like to have a team that fights for 90 minutes and has the confidence to show what kind of team we are. If we do that then what ever the score is I'm happy."
Source: PA
