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Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld out until February

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Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld is now expected to be out until February with his hamstring injury, but Mauricio Pochettino is upbeat about keeping hold of him

Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld will be out until February after a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

But Mauricio Pochettino had good news for Tottenham fans by declaring he was confident the Belgium international would be staying at the club for the long term.

It had originally been hoped Alderweireld would be back from his injury at the start of January, but it emerged on Tuesday that the central defender will be out for longer than expected.

It means he will be a doubt for a run of key fixtures in the new year when Spurs play consecutive league matches against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, followed by the Champions League last-16 first-leg at Juventus.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's match against Brighton, Pochettino said: "We cannot change the reality, the reality is that he is injured and cannot play until February.

"I think with him or without him we win and we lose. Of course the manager always wants all the players to be fit to play like (Victor) Wanyama, Danny Rose or (Erik) Lamela before.

Manchester United's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld during the English Premier League fo
Image: Alderweireld could miss vital league games in the New Year against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal

"Always you are going to miss the players that are not fit but that is normal. But for me football is about the team, it is not about individual players.

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"Of course some players have more influence on the team but I think we have a good enough squad and players that can play, and win or lose it is about the quality of performance if we miss one or another player.

Tottenham appear to be doing all they can to agree a new contract with the 28-year-old. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said on Monday he was confident of reaching a deal and Pochettino echoed those sentiments at his pre-match news conference.

He added: "Of course it is his decision, it's our decision, he still has two years on his contract, and we are looking forward to him playing and to him staying here.

"The players are showing their commitment. I am so calm how Daniel Levy drives everything and manages the contracts of the players and yes I am not worried or concerned about this."

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