Dele Alli could return for Tottenham vs. Brighton as players “traumatized” by losing streak

Want some good news? Here’s some (maybe)! Tottenham have released an update on their injury situation, and both Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko are back in full training ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Dele has been heavily featured in Spurs’ social media presence already today, which is probably a strong indication that he’s going to at the very least be on the bench against the Seagulls. That would fit with the line coming out of the club since the international break, which suggested that he would miss the Liverpool and Inter matches but that he wasn’t seriously injured. Having Dele back would be massive.

However, Mauricio Pochettino poured cold water on the idea that he might slot right into the starting lineup on Saturday, saying that he was not going to take risks with one of his star players.

“We’re never going to put a player at risk because we want to win.

“We need to win and the most important thing is all with all players who are going to be on the pitch, we need to feel they’re 100 per cent. Of course football, it’s a sport where you always assume risk, but not consciously. If you’re conscious you are going to take a risk, it’s impossible for us to take a decision and then something wrong happens when you knew it was a massive risk.

”We need to wait tomorrow to assess him, to see if he’ll be part of the squad. Thursday was a recovery day for everyone and it’s difficult to judge today if he’s ready or not to play. Tomorrow we’ll see if he’s ready or not to be part, if it’s possible for him to help or maybe if we need to wait a few days more to involved him in the competition.”

Having Dele back would be a huge boost to Spurs’ midfield, which has struggled the past few matches. Dele has probably been Tottenham’s most consistent performer in the opening part of the season.

Pochettino also acknowledged that his side is struggling with the string of close losses, and also the number of goals conceded from headers and set pieces already this season.

“It’s true we concede a lot. Its something we talk a lot about but sometimes you talk a lot and then it happens again, it’s like you create a trauma.

“The way we concede the goals is so painful but it happens in football and we need to be strong. Its so important to keep our belief. I’m sure we will win games. The group is a little bit anxious of course about winning games.

“It’s normal, the face is different, the energy is different. Sometimes its good to feel the pain of defeat. It’s important to be clever and strong. It’s like life, it’s impossible to keep happiness for 70 years. It’s ups and downs. It’s important to learn and keep calm.”