Rose set for Carabao Cup start

Danny Rose is almost certain to make his first start in almost nine months against West Ham in the Carabao Cup tomorrow.

However Mauricio Pochettino admits Erik Lamela is still not ready to return, despite hopes the winger would feature against the Hammers at Wembley.

Rose came on for the last 10 minutes of Tottenham’s Champions League draw with Real Madrid last week but his appearance off the bench was partly forced due to injuries elsewhere.

Rose has been out with a knee problem that required surgery in May and has not started a game since playing against Sunderland back on January 31st

Pochettino was asked at his pre-match press conference if Rose could be in the line-up to face West Ham, and the Spurs managed said: “Yes, we need to wait until tomorrow. But in my head maybe there is a possibility for him to start the game tomorrow, yes.”

However the news regarding long term absentee Erik Lamela was less positive. Pochettino had previously said that this match could see Lamela make his long-awaited return but he is not ready for competitive action.

Lamela last played against Liverpool, on October 25 last year before suffering a hip injury in training. On his Argentinian compatriot Pochettino said:”Erik is not on the list, he is doing well but he is not available,” Pochettino said.
“I don’t know how close [he is]. After nearly one year out, I cannot say tomorrow, one week or one month.”

Good news surrounding Mousa Dembele however, with our big Belgian back in training after also struggling with a hip injury, however he is unlikely to be risked, with a visit to Manchester United in the Premier League to come on Saturday.

Man of the moment Harry Kane is also likely to will also be rested, meaning a start for Spaniard Fernando Llorente up front, and Dutchman Michel Vorm is likely to replace Hugo Lloris in goal but Victor Wanyama remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Pochettino said “We are resting players because they need to rest and because we don’t want to take risks,”
The Spurs manager continued “But we are going to play with the players that can be fresh and ready to compete. It is a derby and we want to go to the next stage of the Carabao Cup.”

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