Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed on Tuesday that key centre-backs Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen would remain on the sidelines for Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against League One side Rochdale.
Both players missed Tottenham’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon through injury, but it has been thought that the pair would be available for the mid-week match.
An ankle injury is keeping Vertonghen out of action, however, while Alderweireld, who continues to be linked with a move away from his London club, has once again aggravated a hamstring problem.
[ad_pod ]
Pochettino refused to place a timeframe on the recovery of the Belgian duo, and the Tottenham fans have been sent into panic during a key stage of the season.
Indeed, Spurs are currently battling hard to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, while they will welcome Juventus to Wembley for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 affair on March 7.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below: