Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major injury blow with the news that Toby Alderweireld will not be fit enough to face Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal.
Spurs had hoped that their key defender would shake off the knee injury that has forced him to sit out the past three matches, but the Evening Standard newspaper confirmed that Alderweireld will remain on the sidelines for the crunch clashes in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.
Alderweireld was stretchered off the pitch after an hour of the 1-1 draw away to West Bromwich Albion on October 16, and has missed the draws with Leverkusen, Bournemouth and Leicester City as a result.
The news means that the versatile Eric Dier will continue to start alongside Alderweireld's club and Belgium international team-mate Jan Vertonghen in the heart of Tottenham's defence, with Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele likely to feature as the holdind midfield pairing in the event Dier retains his place at centre back.
The 22-year-old recently stated his intent to replicate Phillipp Lahm and Javier Mascherano in becoming an expert in multiple positions across the pitch after already featuring at right-back, defensive midfielder and centre half for the North Londoners since moving to White Hart Lane.
Dier said: I could do a list of loads of top players who play in many different positions. David Alaba and Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munich, or Javier Mascherano of Barcelona.
People always seem to want to pin me down to one position but I see players all over Europe who play in more than one. It ensures they get appearances for their clubs and it's a fantastic weapon for a manager.
It's a bit stupid to be talking about it [playing in a specific position]. If I could get to the level of players like Alaba, Lahm or Mascherano, I would be a very happy man.�
Meanwhile, the International Business Times revealed that Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino remains hopeful over being able to recall Harry Kane to his side after the striker's own injury lay-off.
Mauricio Pochettino has claimed Harry Kane has a 50% chance of returning to face Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. #THFC pic.twitter.com/wUw1mUIC5q
Kane has not played for Tottenham since injuring ankle ligaments in the 1-0 triumph over Sunderland in September, but Pochettino said that the forward could return to face the Lilywhites' fierce rivals in the North London derby at the weekend.
The Argentine said: "Wednesday (against Leverkusen) 50%, and Sunday we will see."
Vincent Janssen, who scored his first Premier League goal in the 1-1 draw with Leicester on Saturday. or Son Heung-Min will likely lead the line in Kane's absence if the England international fails to shrug off his injury.
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