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Mauricio Pochettino says Spurs' injury problems will not alter transfer policy

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Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are still open for business in January, but won't change their transfer strategy following injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli

Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his stance that injuries will not dictate transfer policy at Tottenham but admitted they are still open to bringing in new players during the January transfer window.

Harry Kane and Dele Alli are expected to be ruled out until March with ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively, while Heung-min Son is on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup.

But Pochettino insisted they are not prepared to alter the long-term transfer strategy of the club in order to solve short-term injury problems.

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"It is so clear, I am so open to improve the squad and add a player, [whether or not] Harry Kane and Dele Alli are fit or not fit," he said ahead of Spurs' Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg game with Chelsea on Thursday - live on Sky Sports.

"It is important to have a clear message to everyone. I was open in the summer and I am open now.

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"It is not [the case] that because we have injuries we are going to change strategy. We are working, we will see what happens at the end but we are always open to improving the squad.

"It is always going to be difficult. In the summer the squad was full and we didn't have space for players because we didn't sell players.

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"Now it is difficult too. I think this [January] is the most difficult transfer window. There are not many transfers, but a lot of loans.

"The difficult thing is to find quality that will add to the squad. We are Tottenham and to find the right players for us is difficult but we are trying."

Vincent Janssen remains on the periphery, however, and Pochettino confirmed he has no future at the club.

The Dutchman has scored just six goals in 37 games for Spurs since joining from AZ Alkmaar for around £18.6m in July 2016 and Tottenham remain keen to find a new side for him when he recovers from the foot injury that is currently troubling him.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Vincent Janssen of Tottenham looks on during the pre-season match between Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus at Wembley Stadium on
Image: Vincent Janssen has struggled for opportunities since joining Spurs in 2016

"For the last year and a half he has not been in our plans. It is not only the manager's plan, he is not in the club's plan," added Pochettino.

"We took a decision to try and find a different place for him because it didn't work. Sometimes it happens. The relationship between the player and club doesn't work and you need to find the best solution.

"We are trying to help him to get fit because he is training with the U23s and we are trying to help him find a club for him where he can be happy and start to play again.

"Our relationship is very good. It's not a personal problem, it's about the professional side."

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Highlights from Tottenham's 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou is another player who has struggled to break into the first team since he joined from Marseille for £11m in the same month that Janssen joined Spurs.

Nkoudo made only his second appearance of the season for Tottenham when he came on as an 86th-minute substitute in Sunday's 2-1 win at Fulham but Pochettino insists he still has a future with them.

"I think that is completely different [to Janssen]. The reason he was involved in the squad against Fulham is because he is part of our plans," added Pochettino.

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