Lloris loss won’t worry Spurs boss
MAURICIO Pochettino says Tottenham will not be knocked off course by the loss of their leader Hugo Lloris.
The goalkeeper suffered a shoulder injury at the end of his side’s 2- 1 win at Manchester City and will miss tonight’s Europa League last- 32 clash with Fiorentina.
Pochettino revealed Lloris will also miss Sunday’s FA Cup fi fth- round tie against Crystal Palace and is a major doubt for the second leg next week against the Italians.
But the Spurs boss feels that little- used understudy Michel Vorm can step into the breach and keep them challenging on three fronts – the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe.
“Hugo is our captain and is a very important player for us ,” said Pochettino. “In the last action against Manchester City, Hugo got a knock on his shoulder. He is out for this game and Sunday, too. We need to assess him in the week and see if he is available next Thursday.
“It’s not a big issue. It’s a very small injury. But it is important now to know that we have a good squad and all the players are motivated.
“We believe, too, in Michel, a top goalkeeper. We believe in him and trust in him. He can play well. But we expect in one week Hugo can play again.”
Losing Lloris at such a key stage of the season is a blow as Vorm has only played fi ve times for Spurs so far during in this campaign, conceding six goals.
It also means their only cover is development squad keeper Luke McGee, 20, who has yet to play for the fi rst team.
Some Tottenham fans have urged Pochettino to forget the Europa League and focus all his attention on a Premier League title challenge, but he will name another strong team tonight.
Fiorentina knocked Tottenham out of this competition at the same stage a year ago, but the Spurs manager says his side have been transformed and their best is yet to come.
“We’ve improved a lot,” he said. “When you get to a new club it’s diffi cult to set your principles but we can be happy with how we develop our philosophy.
“It’s true we have improved a lot. But we are still one of the younger squads in England and we need to improve even more and work hard. I can understand what people are saying because second in the table is a big opportunity to fi ght for the Premier League.
“But when you are at a club like Tottenham you have to fi ght in every game. When you manage Tottenham you need to try to win every competition.”
Pochettino also echoed the thoughts of Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa, who said the Europa League clash has the feel of a Champions League meeting.
“I agree with Paulo,” he said. “The characteristics and the level we show in the Premier League and the level of Fiorentina in the Serie A, both teams have quality and good players.
“We need to work very hard to play them again next season, but in the Champions League.”