Spurs’ England heroes can cause more woe for West Ham after starring in Spain

TOTTENHAM v WEST HAM

INTERNATIONAL breaks can go one of two ways. Players either return on a high after excelling for their countries or return down in the dumps following a bad time. Club managers must gauge how to treat both scenarios.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been fairly lucky, since Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, Harry Winks and Harry Kane must have been flying on returning from England’s barnstorming win in Spain, where they all played their part.

For Winks (right), in particular, it was an important step that takes his reputation to the next level. The midfielder may already have played in some big Champions League games but there is still nothing quite like excelling for your country.

Marko Arnautovic has done that plenty of times for Switzerland, and he scored the winner against Northern Ireland last week. Even better tter news f o r We s t H a m b o s ss Manuel Pellegrini is the fact Arnautovic, troubled by a knee injury, has been passed fit for tomorrow’s match. The striker, after all, has become vital to the Hammers. Without him, the team lacks class and presence in the he final third. At the other end of the pitch, I’d be surprisedsu if Arthur Masua uaku, who made his debut f for DR Congo in the week, kept his place for this one after a shocking piece of defending that gifted Brighton the win l last time out.

The l e f t- b a c k c o u l d cle clearly see Glenn Murray ttotallytll free in front of goal yet scandalously failed to get anywhere near. It was like he couldn’t be bothered to put himself out. With that in mind, Aaron Cresswell must surely stand a chance of getting a game, having mostly watched from the bench up until now. With Tottenham tails up, West Ham can’t afford to switch off again.