Spurs star Dele Alli set to undergo tests but is in line to face Watford
Mauricio Pochettino says Dele Alli will undergo tests in an attempt to discover why he felt dizzy against Norwich on Tuesday – but he expects the 19-year-old to be available to face Watford on Saturday.
Alli scored Spurs’ early opener in the 3-0 victory at Carrow Road this week but was substituted at half-time after feeling unwell and explained after the game that he felt “a bit dizzy”.
Speaking at his press conference today (Thursday), Pochettino said: “Today he was good in the training session but we need to assess him tomorrow in the last training session - but all the signals are good.
“I’m not a doctor, we need to do some tests next week, but we have a very good medical staff. We’re not worried, we only need to assess him and we need to know why, but I’m sure it’s not a big issue, it’s not a big problem.
“We need to have some control. He feels good now but tomorrow we need to assess him again. If it’s all normal he will be available for Saturday.”
Ryan Mason will also be assessed tomorrow to see if he is ready to return from his ankle injury, while Jan Vertonghen and Clinton Njie remain sidelined.
Pochettino generally favours a 4-2-3-1 formation but he made a rare tactical change when Spurs last faced Watford on Boxing Day, opting to play with three centre-backs to combat the Hornets’ strike duo of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney.
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It remains to be seen whether Pochettino will use the same system at White Hart Lane this Saturday, but he said: “It’s very important, our flexibility.
“You can see in different games, how we play in possession of the ball and how we play out of possession. It’s important to have clever players who understand how we work and can then deliver on the pitch.
“I’m very happy with the level of our players. We have a very clever squad that can adapt in different circumstances, and I’m very proud of them.
“We’ve shown in different games that we can play in the same way and with the same philosophy but we are very flexible in our game.”
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