Dele Alli a doubt for Spurs’ Premier League opener vs Aston Villa after hamstring injury

DELE ALLI is a doubt for Tottenham's Premier League opener against Aston Villa after suffering a hamstring injury during pre-season.

The 23-year-old was unavailable to Mauricio Pochettino for their penalty shoot-out defeat to Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup.

The England international missed nine league games because of a similar problem last season and did not enjoy a full summer off.

Dele was part of Gareth Southgate's side that reached the Nations League final days after Tottenham's Champions League final defeat in June.

Defender Juan Foyth is another concern for Poch ahead of the clash against newly-promoted Villa in north London on Saturday.

The Argentine also missed out on Spurs' final pre-season game with an ankle problem, which Inter won 4-3 on penalties after Lucas Moura's early strike was cancelled out by Stefano Sensi.

Alli meanwhile will especially be disappointed after looking to put a campaign ravaged by injuries firmly behind him.

The midfielder, who scored just seven goals last season, said: “It was obviously a difficult season for me in terms of injuries. It was the most injuries I've ever had in one season.

“It's tough not just physically but mentally as well. You have to dig deep.

"Sitting in the treatment room and watching the lads train and watching at games is not nice. It's not nice to be on the sidelines.

"You obviously want to be out there helping your team. We had a great season as a team but individually I was disappointed to get the injuries. I've got to make sure that doesn't happen again.

“I've got to use it all to go forward and not think about it in a negative way.