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Look, we’re not going to sugar-coat it — the team news at Tottenham Hotspur isn’t great. Spurs released their usual update on the injury situation at the club ahead of the Saturday early match at Stamford Bridge, and it’s not a pretty picture. But there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel — Moussa Sissoko has commenced on-field rehabilitation and is targeting a return to the side at the end of March. Yay?
TEAM NEWS:
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 21, 2020
@JuanMFoyth (groin) - late stages of conditioning.
@HKane (hamstring) - continuing rehabilitation.
@MoussaSissoko (knee) - commenced on-field rehabilitation.
Heung-Min Son (arm) - recovering following surgery.#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/GOH7rVXvZw
Sissoko is... well, he’s Moussa Sissoko and we all know the positives and negatives he brings to the pitch, but he would be an extra body in midfield for Tottenham’s league run-in and that would not be a bad thing at all.
The injury list doesn’t clarify at all how Jose Mourinho will set up his Spurs squad against Chelsea on Saturday, so we’ll have to continue to glean what little knowledge we can from the way Spurs played midweek in the Champions League against RB Leipzig. Mourinho was cagy about Tanguy Ndombele, who came off the bench on Wednesday to put in a pretty good shift against RB Leipzig. He didn’t give away much about whether Tanguy is ready to start a football match this weekend.
Special training programme? At least he is not injured in the last few weeks. He played a good 30 minutes in the last game in a game of high intensity so hopefully he will improve.
— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) February 21, 2020
More on Ndombele: I hope when he plays a match in the starting lineup he can play and be on the pitch for 60-90 minutes and not have any setbacks.
— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) February 21, 2020
Mourinho also gave an update on Erik Lamela, who also put in an impressive late stint as a substitute against Leipzig. Lamela has had, Mou said, a frustrating season but will be on the bench again tomorrow against Chelsea to help any way he can.
“[Lamela was] not training with the squad, being protected to be in conditions to give us some time in the next time. A player I like very, very much, I’ve always liked, but a difficult season for him, lots of injuries and problems.
“An incredible spirit to recover, work and didn’t even go home to Argentina in days off. Stayed here working hard, trying to give us what he gave in last game after no training, no conditions. Tomorrow will be the same, he’ll be here to help.”
Chelsea are similarly banged up, and will be without Ngolo Kante, Christian Pulisic, and Callum Hudson-Odoi for tomorrow’s match, but got a boost today with Frank Lampard announcing that both Andreas Christensen and Tammy Abraham are “expected to be available.” Let’s hope not!