Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: Hugo Lloris is ready to face West Ham
Mauricio Pochettino has no concerns about Hugo Lloris' frame of mind for Sunday's derby against West Ham after the Tottenham captain told his head coach: "I want to play."
Lloris captained France against England during a moving occasion at Wembley on Tuesday, which came just four days after last week's terror attacks in Paris.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he will check whether his French players feel able to play this weekend, expressing particular doubt about Laurent Koscielny, whom he thought was unrecognisable during the friendly against England.
Lloris is the only Frenchman in Tottenham's first-team squad but Pochettino insists his goalkeeper is ready for the match at White Hart Lane.
"I didn't need to ask because when he saw me, he said 'I want to play'," Pochettino said.
"It was very difficult for him and for all of the French players and the English players too. They were here training on Monday in the morning and you could feel that they were very sad to play."
Pochettino added: "For Hugo it was a very tough two weeks. When you are captain it is a big responsibility.
"But he is strong, has a good mind with an unbelievable character. He's ready to play Sunday and wants to play for the people."
Pochettino played for Paris St Germain between 2001 and 2003, making 70 appearances for the club, and he also lived in the city for three years.
A close friend of the Argentinian's was near the Stade de France on the night of the attacks but escaped unharmed.
"Yes I had a friend who was very near to the Stade de France. He was close but he was OK," Pochettino said.
"It's not only difficult because I lived in Paris. If at some time you were a tourist in Paris, you translate your mind into the moment that happened with the people.
"I think all humans feel the same, the same pain and the same feelings."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says his squad is braced for a "special game" as they prepare for Sunday's London derby.
The Hammers travel separated only on goal difference with their neighbours after an impressive start to the season.
West Ham, sixth in the table, will be without the services of their star man Dimitri Payet however, after the French international was sidelined for three months with an ankle injury.
Bilic described the 28-year-old as "irreplaceable", but he believes his team is still well-equipped to deal with the threat of Pochettino's side.
"It is a special game," said Bilic ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash. "I know it's a cliche, but there are some games that are more special for the fans. That's why they are derbies and this one is one of them.
"Some are saying it is like the game of the season for West Ham. I wouldn't call it that, but it is special and we are looking forward to it.
"You can feel it in the camp these last few days. It is like we are waiting for a big game."
West Ham have already beaten Arsenal and Chelsea this season, and Bilic is optimistic his side will be able to add another of their London rivals to that impressive list of scalps.
"We are confident now because we know whoever we play we have a chance," Bilic, who made his debut as a West Ham player in a 1-0 win at Spurs in 1996, added.
"We will approach the game with that knowledge that if we are on top of our game we have a good chance.
"For the fans it would be nice if we finish above them but if you ask me if I am happy to finish ninth and they are 10th, Arsenal are 11th, and Chelsea 12th, I would rather finish second and one of them finish as champions."
Source: DSG
