Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino faces Champions League headache with Christian Eriksen the seventh man out of trip to Apoel Nicosia
Spurs chief admits they will miss the 'so important' midfielder who is sick - and says he has plenty of respect for the Cypriots
MAURICIO POCHETTINO faces a Euro headache after taking Tottenham to Cyprus without SEVEN stars.
Sick Christian Eriksen has joined Spurs’ walking wounded for tonight’s trip to Apoel Nicosia.
Boss Poch admitted: “Christian is so important for us and we’ll miss him but we need to find a way to play and perform to win.
“Christian is ill, he stays in London, but we trust the player who comes into his position.”
Spurs are short of replacements with Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Erik Lamela all still crocked.
Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen are both banned and right-back Kieran Trippier could play as an attacking midfielder in their Champions League clash.
But Poch added: “I’m not a boss who cries because a player can’t play.
“We have a very strong squad, full of quality, and aren’t looking for excuses.
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“Our fans might expect us to win against Apoel but the Champions League is very tough and this is a tough game for us.
“I watched them against Real Madrid — they have good players. It’s important to respect them.”
Alli, meanwhile, is once again thought to be a major target for Real - this time in an exchange with Mateo Kovakic.
But Spurs are standing as firm as ever over the England star who is contracted until 2022.
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy reiterated he would not sell the former MK Dons midfielder - who has also been monitored by Barcelona and Manchester City - even for £150m.
