Friday 1 January 2016 10:38, UK
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed he expects to be without Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele for "a few weeks".
Spurs take on Everton at Goodison Park on Super Sunday looking to further bolster their place in the top four of the Premier League, but must do so without Dembele, who was taken off after 44 minutes of the 2-1 win at Watford on December 28.
The 28-year-old will be sorely missed by Pochettino after a fine run of form that has helped him become a key factor in Spurs' rise up the table.
"He is out of the game because of a very small injury in his groin. But he may be a few weeks out," said Pochettino.
Dembele's absence could mean a third straight start for Tom Carroll, while Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb are also fit again and could come in.
Pochettino's options up front are not as healthy, where he continues to rely on the form and fitness of Harry Kane, who has 12 goals in his last 12 appearances and although he insists his side are not over-reliant on the England striker, he admits he is in regular contact with chairman Daniel Levy over potential January signings.
"The problem is we are always negative in our analysis," he said. "Harry Kane is our striker but we have different players who can play in his position like a striker. I am very positive always, I am not negative.
"The most important thing is the balance of the team - the people and the changing room. Our power is in the changing room, in our squad, not one player.
"Maybe every day we chat five minutes, 10 minutes, we have a very good relationship.
"We are ready to take the better decisions for the team and the future of the club. That might mean we bring players in, or not. The better decision might be not to bring players in."
