Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen to miss Barcelona clash as Mauricio Pochettino’s injury crisis deepens
Mauricio Pochettino could be without SIX players for the vital clash with Barca. Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele and Serge Aurier are out while Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen are doubts
TOTTENHAM could be without SIX key players when they face Barcelona tomorrow night with Jan Vertonghen ruled out with injury.
The central defender lasted just 45 minutes of the win at Huddersfield on Saturday.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is also sweating over the fitness of Mousa Dembele who also limped off at half-time after picking up a knock at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Dele Alli is sidelined with a hamstring injury but Poch is hoping skipper Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen could return for the Wembley clash.
If Lloris is not available then third-choice keeper Paulo Gazzaniga will deputise after impressing in his last three games.
And to add to Spurs’ defensive woes, Serge Aurier is still out after picking up a thigh injury in the defeat at Watford last month.
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Midfield pair Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks could feature against the Catalan giants after replacing Vertonghen and Dembele on Saturday.
Spurs cannot afford to lose against the La Liga side after defeat in their opening Group B game at Inter Milan.
The Premier League side let a late lead slip in the San Siro but defeat against Ernesto Valverde’s side could prove costly if the Serie A side goes to Holland and beat PSV Eindhoven.
Meanwhile, Danny Rose insists Spurs cannot afford to fear Lionel Messi tomorrow night.
The Argentine superstar failed to score in his first ten Champions League games against Premier League sides.
But the 30-year-old has made up for it hitting 19 in his last 18 games against English teams in Europe.
Rose said: "The manager has said that there is nothing you can do to stop Messi. You just have to go out and enjoy it.
“The manager won’t want us to go out there being scared of him. It’s an experience we should all want to enjoy.
"And it is a game we all feel we can go out there and win.