Tottenham's Christian Eriksen says his body needed a rest on return from injury
Denmark face Wales (Friday) and Republic of Ireland (Monday) in Nations League, both live on Sky Sports
Tuesday 13 November 2018 07:26, UK
Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen admits his body needed a rest as he continues his return to full fitness while on international duty with Denmark.
Eriksen has completed 90 minutes just twice in the Champions League since returning from an abdominal injury in mid-October.
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The 26-year-old came off the bench in recent Premier League games against West Ham, Manchester City and Wolves, and was an unused substitute in Spurs' 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Having begun the season on the back of a World Cup campaign - where Denmark lost to eventual finalists Croatia in the last 16 - Eriksen says he now feels fresh ahead of his country's Nations League double-header against Wales and the Republic of Ireland - both live on Sky Sports.
"I feel very good, very fresh. I haven't played that many games so I think for my body it's been good with a bit of a build-up going into every game," he told Sky Sports.
"My body needed it, it said take a rest. It's never fun to be injured, it's always boring being on the side, you want to go back to help the team and to be able to play. I'm happy to be back."
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino conceded he would prefer to see his players rested ahead of a busy Christmas schedule, particularly with the team's injury list growing.
However, Eriksen says Pochettino knows his players will want to represent their country if they are fit.
He added: "Any coach in football doesn't like national team games because it's out of your hands, you can't really control what's going to happen.
"It's different, but he knows as a player it's there - he did that as a player as well so he knows how it is.
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"As a player you want to play for your national team, if you're fit, you play, if you're not fit, you don't play. I think everyone is professional enough.
"Personally as well if I'm fit and feel good I will play, it won't take anything out of that. It's always a pleasure to be with your national team."
