Dele Alli starts, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg out, and no Sergio Reguilon or Gareth Bale – How Tottenham could line up against Shkendija

It will have been an odd week for Tottenham’s stars after the cancellation of their Carabao Cup clash with Leyton Orient.

Many who would have expected a run out at Brisbane Road, like Dele Alli, are now left waiting for the chance once again.

Alli was taken off at half-time against Everton and missed their last two matches

Alli has though, at the very least, travelled for Spurs’ next Europa League adventure which see them take on North Macedonian side Shkendija.

Win and Jose Mourinho’s men will be into the final play-off round of the competition.

Making the group stage is the goal for the club as the Portuguese boss seeks silverware come hell or high water.

A strong team will play, such is his keenness for glory, so expect Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son to combine once again and strike fear into their opponents.

But the likes of Juan Foyth and Ryan Sessegnon won’t get the chances to make an impression they thought they might do this week.

Mourinho has had to give his team selection a rethink after Tuesday’s cancellation

Darren Bent has questioned Jose Mourinho’s treatment of Dele Alli

“The team that was supposed to play last night is different to the team that plays tomorrow,” Mourinho said. “The main reason is that we played last Sunday at Southampton and one thing is Sunday,Tuesday and another is Sunday, Thursday.

“So this is a normal situation for a football player of this level to have three days rest and to play again on Thursday. Normal.

“It’s not normal to play Sunday and then play Tuesday so obviously the teams are going to be different. The main reason is health and conditions to perform.

“Is the Europa League a competition that we want very much to get to the group stage. Yes it is.”

Gareth Bale will not be involved for a few weeks as he recovers from a knee problem

Tottenham team news

Alli travels, which suggests he could get some game time after reportedly training hard, meanwhile Steven Bergwijn could get a start to freshen things up too.

There will be no Sergio Reguilon, who wasn’t registered for the tie as he acclimatises to his new surroundings, while Gareth Bale is expected to be out with a knee issue until the next international break, in October.

Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele are both still returning to fitness so there is a chance we might see a midfield two of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg unlikely to start what would be his sixth game of the month with club and country.

How Tottenham should look against Shkendija

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