SIDE’S A PATCH UP FOR POCH

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has a Champions League headache after travelling to Apoel Nicosia without seven stars.

Christian Eriksen was taken ill overnight and did not fly with the squad yesterday.

Mousa Dembele was also left at home after failing to recover from an ankle. The midfield duo join longer-term absentees Danny Rose, Erik Lamela and Victor Wanyama.

To further reduce Pochettino’s options, Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli are suspended. Six of the seven missing would be starters, underlining just how much of a reshuffled side he will have to face the Cypriot champions.

But Pochettino said: “I’m not a manager who cries because a player can’t play. Of course, we miss players who are ill or injured.

“But it’s not an excuse. We’ve a strong squad and this is a good opportunity to show it.”