Tottenham boss allays Alderweireld injury fears

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Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has allayed fears that Toby Alderweireld could be sidelined for around three-and-a-half months.

The Spurs defender has not played since November and media reports in his native Belgium have suggested that he could be out of action for significantly longer.

However, speaking at a press conference on Friday, Pochettino insisted that comments by Alderweireld had been misunderstood and that he is on course to return much sooner.

“He is doing well. I think someone misinterpreted,” said Pochettino.

“I want to clarify the situation. He said if, in the case there was the (worse) injury, maybe I am going to spend 14 weeks out. But that was not the case.

“He is on time and he is doing well, recovering well. We don’t need to be worried, because he avoided an injury that would maybe keep him out for a long time.”

Alderweireld will be unavailable for Saturday’s game against Stoke, as will Davinson Sanchez, who is suspended after being sent off against Watford.

But Pochettino says he has plenty of options at centre-back ahead of this weekend’s match at Wembley.

“We finished at Watford with Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen and then we have Juan Foyth,” he said.

“We have different options. Ben Davies can play like a centre-back and Aurier can play like a centre-back. I am not concerned.”