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Tottenham striker Janssen a match-day decision for Burnley due to illness

Spurs’ Dutch striker missed both Netherlands international matches last week with a chest infection

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - The Emirates FA Cup Third Round Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur head into an important away match at Turf Moor on Saturday with the usual suspects still injured, but now Spurs are adding Vincent Janssen to the doubt list as well.

In a press conference, Mauricio Pochettino stated (as reported by Spurs beat writer Ben Pearce) that the Dutch striker, who missed both of the Netherlands’ international matches last week due to illness, is set to be evaluated and could miss the match against Burnley due to a “chest infection.” Harry Kane, Danny Rose, and Erik Lamela remain on the injured list, though Poch suggested that Rose is edging toward a return.

Pochettino also said that Harry Kane is beginning “field work,” hinting that Spurs’ talismanic striker could be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a sprained ankle.

Elsewhere, there were no injuries of any kind for any Tottenham players involved in last week’s international break, which will come as a huge relief to Spurs players and the Tottenham coaching staff. Spurs have a favorable run-in as they try to protect their second place table position, but must avoid any slip-ups against mid-table or lower opposition.

Burnley provides a unique challenge in that regard. The Clarets play a stout defense and are very good at home, where they have lost only three matches in 2016-17 — to Manchester City, Arsenal, and Swansea City (in the opening match of the season).

Janssen, with his work rate and solid hold-up play, could be of particular use against a Burnley team that doesn’t give up a lot of big chances, but Poch’s news suggests that we could see Son Heung-Min playing at center forward again this weekend, or a variation of the fluid front three of Son, Christian Eriksen, and Dele Alli that Spurs ran out in their win over Southampton two weeks ago.