JOSE: I’M STILL NO.1 HUGO FAN

Wolfsberg

v Tottenham

Kick-off 5:55pm

BY DARREN LEWIS

JOSE MOURINHO has told Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris he is still his No.1 – and one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

The France skipper has come under fire in recent weeks after highprofile gaffes in his side’s defeats to Everton and Manchester City.

But Spurs manager Mourinho has thrown his support behind the 34-year-old (above), highlighting the recent struggles of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker to make his point.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League tie against Austrian side Wolfsberg, Mourinho

(right) said: “When a player is a top player, it’s not because of one mistake or two or three that he’s not a top player again.

“Alisson is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world. He has made big mistakes but he’s one of the top five.

“And Hugo is the same. He’s an amazing goalkeeper that is performing super consistently since he recovered from that fracture.

“If he had responsibility in one or another goal we conceded recently, he’s still the same goalkeeper. He’s my No.1 choice and has my trust and confidence.”

Mourinho will field a strong side against Wolfsberg, suggesting Lloris will start ahead of Joe Hart – the pair having rotated during the qualifiers and group stage.

Mourinho added: “In Joe

Hart’s case, I’m also happy. He has played nine matches this season, which is more than in the previous two seasons. He’s also a keeper I totally trust.”

The first leg tie will be played in Budapest, Hungary, owing to coronavirus restrictions.

WOLFSBERG: Kofler, Novak, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Scherzer, Stratnig, Taferner, Liendl, Sprangler, Vizinger, Joveljic

TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Doherty, Sanchez, Tanganga, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Bale, Alli, Lucas, Vinicius