Harry Kane, Giovani Lo Celso, and Matt Dohertry return but NO Dele Alli – How Tottenham could line up against Maccabi Haifa
Tottenham face their second game in six games on Thursday night as they take on Maccabi Haifa in the Europa League play-off round.
The game, Spurs’ first home match in the competition so far, is must-win to get the club into the group stages of the competition.
Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham now face
Failure to claim victory will be a big financial blow to the club, something which could have a huge knock-on in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Not making the group stages could be the difference between signing Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar or not.
And given manager Jose Mourinho fielded a weakened team in their Carabao Cup triumph, you can tell it means everything to the club right now.
One man who might be back into the team in this crazy run of fixtures is Dele Alli, he’s been left out of their last two squads.
Alli’s last match for Tottenham was in their 3-1 Europa League win over KF Shkendija
But needs must at this time and there is the potential for him to play some part, according to his manager.
“I cannot confirm Dele’s playing but I cannot confirm he’s not playing,” Mourinho said. “We have still training sessions, we have still decisions to make.
“The only thing I can say is he’s being very, very professional. I have only respect for him. He’s being very professional, particularly on Tuesday when the team was preparing for the game and he wasn’t.
Tottenham celebrate their Carabao Cup win against Chelsea
“It would be perfectly acceptable to have a lack of motivation, even a lack of professionalism for this training session but it was exactly the opposite.
“He trained very hard. He has my respect and the respect of his team-mates so it’s possible he plays.”
But who will Mourinho pick for the huge clash which could shape Spurs’ season?
“Don’t be a Jamie O’Hara who doesn’t listen and falls away!” – Former Tottenham star’s brutally honest advice for Dele Alli
Tottenham team news
After plenty of rotation against Chelsea, with nine changes in total, we can expect many who started against Newcastle to return.
Gareth Bale and Heung-Min Son, though, are both absent due to knee and hamstring issues, respectively.
Alli could find himself in the team but right now only Mourinho knows whether the English midfielder will start.
Harry Kane, Lucas Moura, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should almost begin the match despite coming of the bench in the win against Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Joe Hart started the last Europa League match but may be left on the bench for this vital clash before reclaiming his spot if they make the group stages.
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