Belgium international has been out since November with a hamstring injury

Mauricio Pochettino says Toby Alderweireld could return to action in next weekend’s FA Cup tie against Newport County.

The Belgian centre-back suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-1 victory over Real Madrid on November 1 and has missed Spurs’ last 16 matches.

However, he is in line to join in with the first-team training session on Saturday and could be ready to play in Wales a week later.

“I think maybe if all is ok with him today, tomorrow he can integrate himself in some exercises with the group and, step by step, he can build his fitness to be available again,” said Pochettino.

“That is plan - he will do the warm-up with the team, the first exercise and then integrate gradually with the group. We’ll see in the next week if he can improve step by step and be ready.”

Asked if Alderweireld could be available for the trip to Newport next Saturday, Pochettino replied: “Maybe, maybe. Because we are going to have all the week to train and we’ll see if he can arrive in a good condition to play. We’ll assess him day by day.”

In the meantime, Pochettino is preparing his side for Sunday’s trip to Southampton in the Premier League – and he could be without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is ill, while Harry Winks and Danny Rose are still out of action.

“We need to wait today and tomorrow and then assess [Hugo] tomorrow and see if he’s available or not,” said Spurs’ manager. “I think it’s a flu or a virus. It’s between this.

“I think everyone, with this weather - apart from today’s fantastic weather - has struggled a little bit. It’s an epidemic across Europe, not just here in the UK.”

While Pochettino mulls over his goalkeeping options, the January transfer window remains open, and 20-year-old centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers - who has just been recalled from his loan spell with Sheffield United - has quickly headed back out again, joining another Championship side, Ipswich, for the rest of the season.

“Yesterday he was training with us and he was in a very good mood,” said Pochettino. “It was a great experience in Sheffield and we made a quick decision to move [him] to Ipswich.

“He’s going to learn a lot. It’s a great club, great manager and it can help him to improve his game. If he deserves to play games then that is important, always.”

Asked if Carter-Vickers still has a future at Spurs, Pochettino responded: “Yes, of course. It’s a great experience for the young players.

“After two years training with us, he deserves to play. He needs to build his career. We’re thinking one day he can come back and have success at Tottenham.”

Pochettino can also cut short Josh Onomah’s loan spell with Aston Villa if he chooses. He said: “Josh still continues there but we still have a week or 10 days to decide if he stays or we bring him back here.”

Tottenham are yet to sign any players in January and have a history of keeping their cash in their pocket in the winter window.

As is customary, Pochettino declined to discuss any of the rumours concerning potential Spurs targets, and said he had not heard anything about a Chelsea bid for Fernando Llorente.

Asked whether he expects any additions, he said: “To be honest, it’s difficult but in some point you always dream. But not too much exciting [is happening]. If [something] happens, it happens, if not, then it doesn’t happen. We’re happy with the squad.”

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