Mauricio Pochettino unsure how long Tottenham will be without Mousa Dembele with Sissoko set to deputise

Dembele doubt | Pochettino is unsure how long he'll be without the Belgian
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Jack Rosser @JackRosser_24 September 2017

Mauricio Pochettino says that midfielder Mousa Dembele will have to be checked ‘every day’ after being left out of the Tottenham squad for their 3-2 win over West Ham.

The Belgian international, who underwent an operation on his foot durring the summer to rectify a problem that had caused him trouble for the entirety of last season, admitted in pre-season that he may never be 100% fit again, and has played a limited role so far this term.

Though Pochettino does not feel the midfielder will need another operation, he is unsure as to how long he’ll be missing.

“We'll see now,” he said.

Mauricio Pochettino on Tottenham’s 3-2 win at West Ham Capture

“We need to assess in the next few days. We don't know if it's possible for him to be available to go to Cyprus [to face APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League].

“And then we'll see about Huddersfield [on Saturday]. We need to check him every day. Maybe in the next few days, we'll take some decisions with the medical staff.

“I don't believe [he will need an operation]. I don't believe.

“But I cannot say nothing because now it's in the medical staff's hands. Now we need to assess him in between tomorrow and Monday and we'll see.”

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Pochettino, though, has been happy with the performances of Frenchman Moussa Sissoko, who has been brought in to replace the injured Dembele – though occupying a slightly more offensive role, alongside Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier in a midfield three.

“Sissoko and Dembele have different characteristics,” he added.

“Because Dele Alli is like a second striker, he is a striker, playing very well.

“We had Christian and Sissoko, who can go forward on the right side to stretch the opponents. I feel happy in the way we changed and played.

“I think Sissoko was fantastic [against West Ham].”