Injured Jan Vertonghen in race to face Juventus in Tottenham's crucial Champions League clash

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Tom Collomosse27 February 2018

Jan Vertonghen faces a fight to be fully fit for Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Juventus after having a scan on the ankle injury he suffered in training last week.

The defender is ruled out of Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round replay against Rochdale at Wembley after missing the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, and he has barely a week to recover in time for the second leg against the Italian champions.

Tottenham say Vertonghen’s injury is only short term and they were encouraged by the scan results, though manager Mauricio Pochettino is loath to bring back players ahead of schedule – even though he did not rule out Vertonghen returning against Huddersfield in the league on Saturday.

“Jan had a scan and it was positive,” Pochettino revealed. “We are happy as we feel much better. He will certainly not play against Rochdale but he could be available for the weekend.”

In Vertonghen’s absence, Pochettino was encouraged by the new-look central defensive partnership of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, who helped Spurs keep a clean sheet at Selhurst Park.

This pair could become particularly important, especially given Toby Alderweireld’s situation. Alderweireld is sidelined again after suffering hamstring pain.

Alderweireld had only just made his first-team following three-and-a-half months out with a damaged hamstring. The Belgium defender is also in contract dispute with the club.

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