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The effects of Tuesday’s scoreless draw against Sunderland continue to be felt as Tottenham Hotspur prepare for Saturday’s home Premier League match against Middlesbrough. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino gave an update on Twitter and the club’s website on the club’s current injury situation, and confirmed that five players are still recovering and will not feature: Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Jan Vertonghen, and Erik Lamela.
Mauricio: "Danny Rose had a scan yesterday now we need to wait until Monday to see the specialist. @gknkoudou and @trippier2 are out." pic.twitter.com/7dbXle0VgC
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 3, 2017
Rose limped off the pitch in the 38th minute of Spurs’ draw at the Stadium of Light, but up until now Tottenham have been very quiet as to his status. Earlier in the week there were unconfirmed rumors that Rose would be out as long as six weeks, but the sourcing of this was dubious and has not been corroborated. However, Danny needing to see a specialist isn’t a very good sign. Ben Davies will almost certainly start in his place on Saturday.
George-Kevin N’Koudou and Kieran Trippier’s injuries are also not unexpected; Trippier continues to recover from getting kneed in the back during Spurs’ FA Cup win over Wycombe, and GKN announced on social media that he’d picked up a knock. Pochettino said that he expects both to return by next week.
“GK is much better. For tomorrow he is out but he is much better. Kieran Trippier is still out but is much better too in the same level and be sure for next week he will be available.”
Meanwhile, Pochettino also gave brief updates on Hugo Lloris, who is set to start against Boro, and on Jan Vertonghen, who continues to recover from an injury he sustained in Spurs’ win over West Brom in mid January.
Mauricio: "@JanVertonghen is better and starting to run which is very positive. Hugo trained yesterday and today and will be available."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 3, 2017
Pochettino also noted that Erik Lamela’s return is slow but steady:
“Erik Lamela’s progression is good – every day is step-by-step going ahead. It’s better to be cautious but we are positive and happy.”
None of these injuries apart from Danny Rose will have much of an impact on the starting lineup; the biggest question remains whether Pochettino will revert to the three-at-the-back formation utilized to great success in January, or if we will see another return to the 4-2-3-1 used against Sunderland.
Editor’s note -- article corrected to indicate that the match is on Saturday, not Sunday because I clearly cannot read a calendar today.