Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen ruled out of Champions League tie against APOEL as Mauricio Pochettino faces selection headache

  • Christian Eriksen has not travelled to Cyprus for Tottenham's clash with APOEL
  • Spurs beat Borussia Dortmund in the first round of Champions League fixturesĀ 
  • Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen are suspended while Mousa Dembele is also outĀ 
  • At least six of Mauricio Pochettino's preferred first-team will be missing for trip

Mauricio Pochettino has warned there can be no excuses as Tottenham arrived in Cyprus without six of their first-choice XI, including creator-in-chief Christian Eriksen.

The Dane did not travel after falling sick on Monday, and his absence stretched a squad already without Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, both suspended, and injured trio Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Danny Rose.

It exerted pressure on a fixture Spurs are expected to win against Cypriot champions APOEL, and Pochettino is desperate to add three more points after a 3-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.Ā 


Christian Eriksen has been ruled out of Tottenham's Champions League tie against APOEL

Christian Eriksen has been ruled out of Tottenham's Champions League tie against APOEL

Eriksen has been in fine form this season and scored in his last outing against West Ham

Eriksen has been in fine form this season and scored in his last outing against West Ham

Tottenham in training ahead of their Champions League tie against APOEL on TuesdayĀ 

Tottenham in training ahead of their Champions League tie against APOEL on TuesdayĀ 

Harry Kane trains for Tottenham as he aims to add to his tally of Champions League goalsĀ 

Harry Kane trains for Tottenham as he aims to add to his tally of Champions League goalsĀ 

Next up in Group H for the Londoners is a double-header against holders Real Madrid.

'Christian is a very important player for us,' said Pochettino. 'It's true we will miss him but we need to move on. We need to find a way to play and perform and try to win. He is ill, he stays in London and we trust the player who will come into his position.

'I am not a manager who cries because a player cannot play.

'It is key to win and there are no excuses. We have a strong squad and this is a good opportunity to show it. We started well against Borussia Dortmund and this is so important. It's so important for our future in the Champions League to get the three points.'

The Spurs squad took time out to stretch in theĀ GSP Stadium in Nicosia, CyprusĀ 

The Spurs squad took time out to stretch in theĀ GSP Stadium in Nicosia, CyprusĀ 

Tottenham managerĀ Mauricio Pochettino has his own shooting practice as the team trained

Tottenham managerĀ Mauricio Pochettino has his own shooting practice as the team trained

Toby Alderweireld (centre) was in good spirits as he takes part in the squads training sessionĀ 

Toby Alderweireld (centre) was in good spirits as he takes part in the squads training sessionĀ 

Son Heung-min is put through his paces as he prepares to help Spurs beat APOELĀ 

Son Heung-min is put through his paces as he prepares to help Spurs beat APOELĀ 

APOEL can be stubborn opponents in Nicosia but Tottenham believe they are learning lessons in the Champions League, after crashing out at the group stage last year.

'The main thing was that you have to be totally prepared for the team you are up against,' said left back Ben Davies.

'You cannot play the same way against every opponent. It's a totally different level of football and we have to be able to adjust.

'We can't always go gung-ho like maybe we do in the Premier League. Last season it didn't go quite to plan but we want to show people we can compete at this level and our performance against Dortmund was excellent. We were a lot more solid and patient.

'This is a chance to come here, take all three points and put ourselves in a really good position.'

Spurs will be without both Jan Vertonghen through suspension
Dele Alli is banned for the club's second group game

Spurs will be without both Jan Vertonghen (left) and Dele Alli for their second group game

But Mauricio Pochettino will have to contend with APOEL without the 25-year-old midfielder

But Mauricio Pochettino will have to contend with APOEL without the 25-year-old midfielder

Spurs were withoutĀ Mousa Dembele at West Ham and he remains sidelined for the APOEL tie

Spurs were withoutĀ Mousa Dembele at West Ham and he remains sidelined for the APOEL tie

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