Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld to miss Champions League clash against Juventus despite declaring himself ready to play
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to leave Belgium defender in London to work on his fitness
Sponsored by
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD is set to miss Tottenham's Champions League clash at Juventus tomorrow.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino will instead leave the Belgium defender, 28, in London to work on his fitness.
Alderweireld played 90 minutes against Newport in the FA Cup last week having been out with a hamstring injury since November.
He declared himself ready to face Arsenal in Saturday's North London derby but was left out of the squad.
And Poch will not involve him in the Champions League last 16 clash in Turin - one of Spurs' biggest games in recent years - as he is still not convinced over his fitness.
The Argentine demands a high intensity from his players and fears rushing Alderweireld back too soon could undo months of rehab.
Pochettino takes a no-nonsense approach to fitness and has made big calls leaving out the likes of Danny Rose and Erik Lamela until they have proven their sharpness.
Rose was fuming at being left out of Spurs' squad for November's North London derby defeat.
NEIL ASHTON Spurs were so much better than Arsenal it was like watching Barcelona vs Espanyol
Alderweireld is out of contract in 2020 and yet to sign a new deal amid reported interest from Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
The player's agent, Stijn Francis, in September demanded Alderweireld be offered better terms to his £50,000-a-week contract or be allowed to leave the club.
LATEST SPURS NEWS
He said: "When you look at Toby's statistics, they are impressive. Either he deserves an appropriate contract, or else he should be given a transfer.
"Seven or eight big European clubs are interested in signing him.
"There are not many central defenders around who can play like he can.
"But these clubs will have to negotiate with Tottenham's chairman, Daniel Levy."