Spurs missed the Argentinian playmaker for a number of matches over the Christmas period

Tottenham Hotspur will continue to be without Erik Lamela for tonight’s FA Cup tie at Tranmere Rovers, but the attacker should be available for selection again soon.

He has not featured for Spurs since coming off the bench in the 6-2 victory away to Everton in the Premier League on December 23 due to a calf injury.

Something which started out as a small problem saw the Argentinian not feature against AFC Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City.

Lamela was actually on the bench for the 5-0 win over the Cherries on Boxing Day, but was not deemed fit enough to come on.

He is now over his calf issue and trained on Wednesday, but then picked up an illness which means the 26-year-old will not feature in the third round clash.

It seems Lamela should be ready and raring to go for next week, however, when the Lilywhites host Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Boss Mauricio Pochettino has already revealed he will rest some players for the tie in Merseyside this evening.

Harry Kane looks likely to be on the bench and Christian Eriksen could be taken out of the starting XI along with Moussa Sissoko.

If that is the case, Fernando Llorente, Lucas Moura and Oliver Skipp should come into the team.

Elsewhere, Paulo Gazzaniga should replace Hugo Lloris in goal and Serge Aurier may return following a lay-off.

Aurier has not played for Tottenham since the 2-0 win at Leicester City on December 8, but is back in training and available for selection.

Kyle Walker-Peters may line up on the left side of a back four which will probably be completed by Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez.

Toby Alderweireld has started Spurs’ last nine matches and Pochettino could try to rest the Belgian for the 7.45pm kick-off at Prenton Park.