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Tottenham hope defensive duo to be fit for Everton match

Spurs are sweating slightly on the fitness of Janby Alderwertonghen.

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Tottenham Hotspur v KAA Gent - UEFA Europa League Round of 32: Second Leg Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Good news on the injury front today! Matt Law in the Telegraph is reporting that Spurs are becoming increasingly confident that both Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will be fit and ready to play against Everton this Sunday.

Both Vertonghen and Alderweireld were subbed off early in Spurs 4-0 win over Stoke City with what were later described as “precautionary injuries.” Spurs were already up big by that point and neither defender felt like they wanted to risk further injury by ignoring what they felt were minor niggles.

Law writes that Toby’s knock was the more serious of the two, but while Pochettino will continue to monitor their fitness levels, they’re both very likely to be available against the Toffees, barring a further setback.

That’s good for Spurs as Everton are one of the in-form teams in the Premier League. They haven’t lost a league match since December 19 against Liverpool, and their only loss in 2017 was an FA Cup match against Leicester. Romelu Lukaku is on a tear, scoring 7 goals in his last 7 matches and is tied with Harry Kane and Alexis Sanchez with 17 goals at the top of the Premier League scorers’ table.

Sunday’s match at White Hart Lane may suggest Tottenham have the edge (Spurs have yet to lose a league match at home), but Everton are not a team to be taken lightly. Having a healthy back three will help a lot.