Spurs team news: Three midfielders ruled out of Qarabag Europa League clash
Ryan Mason, Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele are out of action for Tottenham’s Europa League opener against FK Qarabag on Thursday night – and Mauricio Pochettino is likely to rotate his squad.
Summer signings Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier are yet to appear this season - the same goes for recent recruit Clinton Njie, who has been short of match fitness - while youngsters Josh Onomah and Harry Winks have stayed with the first-team squad rather than being loaned out but have not got onto the pitch so far.
Tom Carroll has only made two substitute appearances, while Andros Townsend and Erik Lamela will be keen to build on their impressive performances at Sunderland, having both made an impact off the bench.
“Maybe it will be a mix between the players that play in the Premier League and the players that haven’t played yet,” said Pochettino.
“We have six games ahead in two and a half weeks and it’s important to share the minutes and to put the best teams forward for every game.
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“I think it’s important for the squad, to try to give the whole squad the facility to play, and I think it’s a good competition for us.”
Pochettino is not taking Qarabag lightly and impressed by their performances against Celtic in Champions League qualifying, with the Scots squeezing through 1-0 over the two legs.
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“Qarabag are a good team, they played very well against Celtic,” said the head coach. “They have a very good team that plays very well – they try to build from the back and play along the grass and they are a very dynamic team. We need to show respect for them because it’s not an easy game.”
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