Tottenham Hotspur V Burnley at White Hart Lane : Match Preview

13 January 2015 17:01
Tottenham Hotspur V Burnley - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Dier warns of Ings threat

Eric Dier knows England Under-21s team-mate Danny Ings will need close attention if Tottenham are to overcome Burnley in Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay.

After last Monday's encounter at Turf Moor ended in a 1-1 draw, the sides will again do battle at White Hart Lane to decide who hosts Leicester in the fourth round.

Tottenham are favourites to progress but Dier is not taking the Clarets lightly, especially given the form of Young Lions team-mate Ings.

"Danny Ings is a massive threat and he's probably their most dangerous player," Dier told the club's official website.

"I've played with him at England Under-21 level and I've seen at close quarters that he's a really good player.

"He's shown that he's very sharp, so we'll have to keep an eye on him.

"In terms of the game itself, Burnley made it difficult for us and their style of play was tough to play against last week but at White Hart Lane we fancy our chances, especially with our recent home form going in our favour."

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino is likely to make changes for the tie.

The replay is the fourth match of a hectic January for Spurs, with in-form striker Harry Kane one of those in line to be rested at White Hart Lane.

Erik Lamela (calf) and Ryan Mason (hamstring) remain doubtful, while Nabil Bentaleb is at the African Nations Cup with Algeria. DeAndre Yedlin is ineligible.

Meanwhile, Burnley boss Sean Dyche is confident Ings is not being affected by speculation surrounding his future.

The striker's performances in his debut Barclays Premier League season have reportedly caught the eye of a number of clubs, with Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle all having been linked with the 22-year-old.

Dyche insists there have been no inquiries since the transfer window opened, and player, manager and club have all continued to state unequivocally that Ings is going nowhere this month.

But, with the striker out of contract in the summer and having so far declined to sign a new deal, the speculation is certain to continue.

Ings was critical of his own performance despite scoring his sixth goal of the season against QPR on Saturday but, asked if his star player was being affected, Dyche said: "It doesn't look like it, his performances look pretty decent to me.

"He's quite demanding of himself, almost too demanding. I've told him to smile and relax and enjoy what he's doing, and that seems to work with him. His thirst to improve is there for all to see.

"It's an ongoing negotiation, like it is with a lot of players. We get on well with his agent, and that's an important thing as well.

"Everyone knows where it is and that's always been the case. We try and be open and honest in our dealings with players and we've certainly been that with him. Where it takes us, we'll see.

"We're quite secure. The good side of not spending millions and millions of pounds - we've spent a few quid by Burnley standards, but not by the Premier League market - is that we're in a good place financially.

"We're not under any questions of any of our players going out of the building. We're looking to recruit ones that can come in and help us to move forward."

One player hoping to be given a chance at White Hart Lane will be striker Sam Vokes, who returned from a long-term knee injury last month and scored his first goal against Spurs to earn Burnley the replay.

Vokes was back on the bench against QPR and may have to be patient again as he waits for his first start.

Dyche's main injury worry surrounds captain Jason Shackell, who is still feeling the effects of a calf problem.


Source: PA