Tottenham injury news: Spurs confident Toby Alderweireld has not suffered knee ligament damage

Sidelined | Alderweireld was injured during the weekend draw at West Brom
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Tom Collomosse17 October 2016

Tottenham are optimistic defender Toby Alderweireld had avoided ligament damage ahead of a scan on his injured knee.

Spurs feared Alderweireld had suffered a serious injury when he was carried off during the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom, following a collision with team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

But as Alderweireld prepared for the assessment, the initial indications were that he had received only a very heavy knock, and that he would not face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Alderweireld, 27, has not travelled to Germany for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen, and is unlikely to feature in the club’s forthcoming matches – at Bournemouth on Saturday, against Liverpool in the EFL Cup three days later, and at home to Leicester on October 29.

The player himself is said to be hopeful he has escaped severe damage, while Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to provide further news later today.

Alderweireld is likely to be replaced in the team by Eric Dier. Although Dier established himself as a holding midfielder last season, he grew up as a centre-back and played there during his first campaign at Tottenham.

Pochettino would be hugely relieved if Alderweireld has not sustained ligament problems – but his absence is still a significant blow.

The centre-back, signed in summer 2015 from Southampton, has not missed a league game for Tottenham, and is probably the club’s most important outfield player.

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Without both Alderweireld and Harry Kane, who has an ankle injury, Pochettino faces a test to keep his team in the hunt both at home and in Europe.

Spurs midfielder Dele Alli said: “There is no denying that Toby is a fantastic defender and a great part of our team. We all have our fingers crossed that it isn’t too bad.”

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