Spurs' Alderweireld out until February

Published on: 12 December 2017

LONDON -- Tottenham Hotspur will be without Toby Alderweireld until the start of February but have no plans to sign defensive cover, manager Mauricio Pochettino has said.

However, the Spurs boss said he would discuss recalling teenage centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers from his loan at Sheffield United for reasons unrelated to Alderweireld's absence.

Alderweireld, 29, has not played since limping off with a hamstring injury in the Champions League win over Real Madrid on Nov. 1, and Pochettino initially forecast a return "after Christmas."

But after the Belgium international had another scan this week, Pochettino told a news conference: "He cannot play until February.

"With him or without him, we win and we lose. The manager always wants all the players fit to play, like [Victor] Wanyama and like Erik Lamela and Danny Rose before.

"You always miss the unfit players -- that's normal. But football is a collective sport, about the team, not about individuals.

"Of course some players have more influence on the team but we have squad enough, players who can win or lose. It's about collective, not one or another player."

Although Spurs are stretched at centre-back and in holding midfield, Pochettino said he had no plans to enter the January transfer market.

He added: "It [Alderweireld's injury] doesn't change our view about the squad or to take some decisions differently because he's injured."

Wanyama has been absent since August with a knee injury but took part in squad training on Monday, while Davinson Sanchez serves the second game of a three-match ban against Brighton on Wednesday.

Pochettino said he was considering recalling 19-year-old United States centre-back Carter-Vickers, who has impressed in 13 league appearances for Championship side Sheffield United.

"It's a decision we need to talk about in the next few days. It's true that today, with Davinson suspended, maybe the squad looks a little bit like we need someone.

"But I think we have different players that can play there, and I think I am happy with the squad.

"The decision with Cameron is more about his development than if we need or don't need some more centre-backs in the squad."

Pochettino could start the fit-again Lamela against Brighton for what would be the first time since a goalless draw at Bournemouth last October.

Source: espn.co.uk

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