Tottenham are confident key duo Danny Rose and Eric Dier will make quick returns to action even though neither has travelled to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund.
Rose is suffering with a calf problem sustained in the closing minutes of the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend while there were some indications Dier had picked up a knock in the same game, making him doubtful for the first leg of Spurs’ last-16 Europa League tie.
Yet Spurs sources insist Dier, 22, was left in London solely to allow him to rest. The England international has featured in 41 of Tottenham’s 42 competitive matches this season, mostly in the holding midfield role.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is notoriously cautious about rushing players back to action and will assess both players again on Spurs’ return to England before deciding whether they can play at Aston Villa on Sunday. Spurs are also without Dele Alli here due to suspension.
Borussia Dortmund - Tottenham: Combined XI
Pochettino gave a strong indication he would make a number of changes to his starting XI at the Signal Iduna Park tonight. He said: “We are in a period that is tough for the players. We need to refresh the team. We need to rotate.”
