Spurs hopeful Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will be fit for Everton match
Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful central defenders Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will be fit for Sunday’s key match against Everton.
Both Vertonghen and Alderweireld were taken off during last weekend’s thrashing of Stoke City, with manager Mauricio Pochettino taking no chances over their fitness.
Alderweireld was rated as the more concerning of the two withdrawals, but Spurs are increasingly confident both Belgians will be available for Sunday.
Pochettino will spend the rest of this week assessing the fitness of Vertonghen and Alderweireld, but, barring any setbacks, is planning for them being fit to face Everton.
The availability of the duo would be a boost for Pochettino, as he must find a way to stop in-form Everton striker Romelu Lukaku who is level with Harry Kane and Alexis Sanchez at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.
Pochettino could not have two better men to try to stop Lukaku’s run of 11 goals in his last 13 games, as Vertonghen and Alderweireld are team-mates of the 23-year-old in the Belgium national team.
The visit of seventh-placed Everton to White Hart Lane represents a significant test for Spurs, as Ronald Koeman’s men are yet to lose in the Premier League this year and are just six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
In what they hope will be their final season playing at White Hart Lane, Tottenham are the only club in the Premier League to hold an unbeaten home record.
Pochettino believes that a desire to go out on a high at their traditional home is helping Spurs. “This season we are normally winning games and playing very well here at White Hart Lane,” said Pochettino.
“Maybe because we all, our supporters, players, staff, maybe we feel it is the last season here and it’s a very special atmosphere on the pitch in the stadium. That’s helping a little.”
