Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen among huge Tottenham Hotspur injury list for Cardiff City clash
Although goalkeeper and World Cup winner Hugo Lloris should return against the Bluebirds
2 OCT 2018
Although goalkeeper and World Cup winner Hugo Lloris should return against the Bluebirds
Tottenham Hotspur will be without five key players for this weekend's game against Cardiff City, as well as the midweek clash with Barcelona.
Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Serge Aurier have all been ruled out through injury, leaving Mauricio Pochettino with a threadbare squad for the two Wembley games.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is again available for selection after a thigh injury, but the news will come as a boost for Neil Warnock's Cardiff who are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
The away game at Spurs represents a tough assignment considering the form of both sides.
Harry Kane scored a brace as Tottenham eased past Huddersfield 2-0 last weekend, while the Bluebirds sank to another home defeat to Burnley.
Harry Kane scored more Fantasy Football points than any other striker last season (Image: PA)
And although England captain Kane is available to face Cardiff, he will be without key attacking partners Alli (hamstring) and Eriksen (thigh), as well as Belgium internationals Vertonghen (hamstring) and Dembele (thigh).
Aurier is the other player sidelined, again with a thigh injury, although Kieran Trippier has been the first choice right-back for Spurs this season.
Kane will likely be joined by Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son in Pochettino's frontline, with Eric Dier and Harry Winks expected to feature in midfield. Davinson Sanchez is the main candidate to deputise for Vertonghen in the heart of defence.
Pochettino will be forced to play a full strength side in the crucial Champions League tie against Barcelona tomorrow (Wednesday), which could leave him further hampered depending on injuries and players' fitness.