UK Edition
Danny Rose nearing return while Mauricio Pochettino confident Spurs can keep Dele Alli and Harry Kane
Danny Rose, the Tottenham Hotspur full-back, is expected to return to first-team action over the next few weeks after continuing his rehabilitation with FA staff at St George’s Park.
Rose, who has made just 11 appearances this season after missing the first two months of the campaign, last played in Tottenham’s 5-2 victory over Southampton on Boxing Day.
He has since suffered a recurrence of his knee injury and will continue to have treatment at St George’s Park until Wednesday next week.
Tottenham will also be without Toby Alderweireld, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, and midfielder Harry Winks for the visit of Everton to Wembley on Saturday.
The fixture comes two days after chairman Daniel Levy insisted the club will not sell any players they wish to keep this summer, including the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane, who have reportedly piqued the interest of some of Europe’s leading clubs.
“The chairman manages everything and takes the decisions,” said Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. “It is so important to listen to him. Every word he said you need to respect. He is our boss and if he is talking in this way he is confident to deliver this.
“Of course, all clubs want to keep their best players. We are in the same way. We want to try and make ourselves stronger.”
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Bordeaux winger Malcom in the January transfer window, but Pochettino insisted this was “another rumour.”
Asked if there were any imminent deals lined up, Pochettino said: “Until today, no. No one is close to arriving. Maybe in five minutes it will happen. Until now nothing is close.”
He added that modern footballers are surrounded by “too many people” and that each player has become like a “company”.
As reported by Telegraph Sport, Tottenham are intending to hand Alli a significant pay rise as part of an improved contract offer that could be made before the end of the season.
Striker Kane is also likely to be offered a new deal, which could be worth up to £200,000 a week, while further talks over a new deal for Alderweireld are also scheduled to take place this month.
Asked if modern footballers play for money or medals, Pochettino said: “It is not about money. Of course it is a business and there are too many people involved in the business. Everyone tries to get the best for their client but the players play because they love football. Today it is more professional that 30 years ago or 40 years ago. Around every single player is like a company.”