Pochettino wary of Defoe threat
Mauricio Pochettino has wished former Tottenham favourite Jermain Defoe all the best after the striker completed a move to Sunderland - but knows the England striker could come back to haunt his side on Saturday.
Defoe sealed a move from Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC to Sunderland on Friday - in time to be involved against Spurs at White Hart Lane this weekend.
Although the 32-year-old, who has penned a three-and-half-year deal on Wearside, is not match fit, he is likely to be involved for Gus Poyet's side, having kept himself sharp by training with the Tottenham development squad in recent weeks.
And Pochettino, who decided against bringing Defoe back for a third spell with Spurs, knows the frontman has the ability to hurt his team as they look to keep pace with the Barclays Premier League's top four.
When asked if signing Defoe was a gamble, Pochettino replied: "It's not me that needs to answer this question. It's a question for Gus Poyet.
"All the best for Jermain in his new era in his career. Always, we need to be focused on our players, but Defoe is a big finisher and a very good striker.
"He showed his quality here and in the last season at Toronto, but we have three great strikers and we are confident in our players.
"He was training with the under-21s last week. All the best, because he spent time here in the last few days. For him, he is a very good player and a very good guy."
Pochettino is likely to welcome back a host of first-team regulars for the visit of Sunderland after making seven changes for Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay victory over Burnley.
Top goalscorer Harry Kane and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are two faces likely to return, with Pochettino continuing to juggle his squad as they challenge of four fronts.
As well as a domestic campaign to get back into the Champions League, Tottenham are still in the FA Cup, Capital One Cup and Europa League, but Pochettino is not worried about the possibility of fixture congestion.
"It's a good thing for us because we are still in four competitions and it's important for the club," he said.
"I think that we are the Premier League team who have played more official games than anyone, but it's a good challenge for us. It's for that (reason) it's important to have the strong squad, because you need players available to play.
"I'm not worried. We need to work hard and analyse every single decision and after try to keep our players fit for every game. It's important for that to go step by step, game by game. It's important to analyse every player and every single decision that we take."
Pochettino also confirmed Emmanuel Adebayor will be in his squad having not played since November whilst Erik Lamela (calf) and Ryan Mason (hamstring) are doubtful with Nabil Bentaleb away on international duty with Algeria.
Sunderland central midfielder Liam Bridcutt is suspended after his sending-off against Liverpool last weekend and natural replacement Lee Cattermole is still out with a groin injury, as is full-back Anthony Reveillere, who needs another week to shake off an Achilles problem.
Poyet has challenged striker Jermain Defoe to fire his way back into the England squad after his return home as part of an almost "perfect deal".
The 32-year-old Toronto frontman completed his swap move with Jozy Altidore on Friday afternoon, with Poyet insisting international football should still be in his sights.
He said: "I haven't talked to him about that, but that's a consequence. If he plays and he's fit and he scores goals, I'm sure that any manager of the national team is going to try to get him.
"First, he wants to get back into the Barclays Premier League, prove that he can keep scoring goals, help us and then it's up to Mr Roy Hodgson.
"But that's the second step. The first one is to get back into business."
Defoe headed back to England having served just 11 months of his four-year MLS contract with homesickness and injuries having played their part in his decision.
However, he managed 11 goals in 16 league appearances for Toronto, and while the Premier League may represent a sterner test of his enduring ability, he is delighted to be back.
Defoe said: "I am delighted to be here and I'm looking forward to the challenge. It is a great club and I've always enjoyed coming up here and playing against Sunderland because of the stadium and the supporters. It is a great place to play and I'm really looking forward to it."
Source: PA
