Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham fringe players they are fighting for Spurs futures in Wycombe FA Cup tie

Seize your chance: Pochettino has called on his fringe players to make the most of Saturday''s Cup tie
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Tom Collomosse27 January 2017

Mauricio Pochettino has challenged Tottenham’s fringe players to prove they have a long-term future at the club.

Tottenham take on League Two club Wycombe in Saturday’s fourth-round tie, with Pochettino expected to rest a number of players ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League match at Sunderland.

Tottenham also resume European football next month with a last-32 tie against Ghent, meaning Pochettino will use his squad extensively.

“If you want to be at Tottenham for the long term, and to deserve to wear the shirt, the Wycombe game is a great opportunity to show it,” he said.

“The FA Cup needs to be a priority. It must be our objective, to try to get as far as possible. Saturday is not an excuse. If you play for Tottenham, whether you are involved a lot or not too much, you need to show your quality.

“When you are involved in three competitions and you have 25 players, it is important in these types of games to give some responsibility to the players who have not played too much in the Premier League or Europe.

“But we are involved in the FA Cup, the Premier League and the Europa League – three big challenges. Why not [give it our best]?”

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Spurs will definitely be without injured trio Toby Alderweireld (hamstring), Harry Kane (groin) and Danny Rose (knee), but Pochettino is hopeful they will all be available at Sunderland.

Alderweireld’s absence means Victor Wanyama may play at centre-back if Pochettino sticks with a three-man defence.

London Football! Stay on top of all the news and gossip from the January window in our transfer section.

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