Alderweireld faces fight to be fit for Juve

TOBY ALDERWEIRELD is fighting to be fit for Tottenham’s date with Juventus after being ruled out until February.

Alderweireld had a new scan this week, having failed to make progress in his recovery from the hamstring tear he suffered against Real Madrid on November 1.

‘We cannot change the reality,’ said boss Mauricio Pochettino. ‘The reality is that he is injured and cannot play until February.’

Spurs travel to face Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on February 13. With Eric Dier moved back from midfield and Victor Wanyama injured, the team have lost consistency without Alderweireld, 28, who has 18 months left on his contract and is resisting pressure to sign an extension.

‘With him or without him we win and we lose,’ said Pochettino. ‘The manager always wants all the players fit like Wanyama or Danny Rose and Erik Lamela.’

Lamela is in contention to start for the first time in 14 months when Spurs host Brighton tonight at Wembley, but Pochettino is not tempted to leave out Jan Vertonghen to protect him from the threat of a ban for five yellow cards.

‘That’s a decision I never like to take,’ said the Spurs boss.