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Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Eric Dier is unlikely to start against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
The midfielder has missed the club’s last four Premier League outings and played a single minute in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United in February.
What’s the word?
Dier has struggled with injury throughout the 2018-19 season and has missed games with both appendicitis and tonsilitis.
Spurs have won just one of the last four games the England midfielder has missed, against Leicester City, and have lost to Burnley and Chelsea and drawn with Arsenal in the north London derby.
He could make the bench, however, with Pochettino confirming that he will be assessed before Tuesday’s second leg, with Spurs holding a 3-0 lead.
Harry Winks, too, could feature after missing the north London derby with a hip injury.
“We need to assess both,” Pochettino said, per Football.London.
“They are here because we still need one day more to assess if they can. Dier has been out for a while and maybe on the bench. Winks we need to see tomorrow.”
Pochettino has also confirmed that Dele Alli is nearing a return after suffering a thigh muscle strain against Fulham in January.
“Dele is close, we will see if it is possible for Saturday to be involved with the team against Southampton,” he added, per Football.London.
A timely boost
Spurs have missed genuine physicality in midfield, with performances against Chelsea and Arsenal lacking the bite needed in the centre of the pitch.
Dier coming back, particularly against Dortmund, would be a massive boost, especially with Victor Wanyama looking out of his depth against the Gunners.
Alli, too, could be back for the quarter-finals if Spurs progress and his unique skillset has not been effectively replaced since his injury.
Dier, Winks and Alli all returning to action could come at just the right time with the club looking to pull off a shock European triumph.
