Spurs will be without a number of key personnel for another big match at the Etihad against Pep Guardiola’s team

After Wednesday’s enthralling encounter between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, the two clubs will do battle all over again on Saturday in the Premier League lunchtime kick-off.

Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino will have to rally their troops for the final leg of an intense three-part sequel.

Spurs won the Champions League quarter-final first leg 1-0 and although they lost the second meeting 4-3 earlier this week, they progressed on away goals to leave everyone at City heartbroken with their quadruple dream over.

It will not be easy for either side and both need the points for different reasons with Tottenham still not assured of a top-four finish while the Premier League champions are looking to retain their title and can’t afford to give Liverpool an inch.

What will not help Spurs’ cause is the fact they have several players still unavailable due to injury, but Eric Dier could return.

The England international has endured a difficult campaign and recently picked up a hip flexor problem which saw him miss more games.

He is expected to return to first-team training today though, and will hope to be in the squad to face City on Saturday.

Another player targeting a comeback is Vincent Janssen, who is also set to rejoin the group following a spell on the sidelines.

The Dutchman has yet to make an appearance for Spurs this season after suffering an injury upon his return from Fenerebahce last summer.

He is almost fit again and if he comes through first-team training without any problems, he may even feature on the bench at the Etihad this weekend.

Tottenham remain without Serge Aurier (hamstring) and Harry Winks (groin) for the third meeting with City this month.

Both absences will be a blow to Pochettino and he will also have to assess the fitness of Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela.

Sissoko was forced off during Wednesday’s pulsating tie with a groin injury and this latest clash with City is likely to come too soon for him.

Lamela, meanwhile, was not even fit enough to be part of the squad for the quarter-final second leg after again struggling with a hamstring issue and he will also need to be assessed.

Given the quick turnaround, Pochettino is likely to make changes with Ben Davies and Kyle Walker-Peters expected to come in for Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier.

The Spurs manager may even look to give chances to Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth while Fernando Llorente could earn a rare start following his pivotal cameo in the Champions League.

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