Mauricio Pochettino plays down Tottenham injury concerns as Moussa Sissoko joins growing casualty list

Sunday 29 July 2018 13:26 BST
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Pochettino said Sissoko's injury was 'not a big issue'
Pochettino said Sissoko's injury was 'not a big issue' (AFP/Getty Images)

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Mauricio Pochettino played down injury concerns after Moussa Sissoko limped out of Tottenham’s penalty shootout defeat to Barcelona in Los Angeles.

Son Heung-min and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou scored as Spurs battled back from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 before they were beaten 5-3 on spot-kicks, with Anthony Georgiou missing from 12 yards.

On top of Sissoko's knee issue, fellow midfielder Victor Wanyama suffered a knee injury of his own in training, while youngsters Tashan Oakley-Booth and Kazaiah Sterling as well as Argentina midfielder Erik Lamela are also carrying knocks.

On Sissoko, Pochettino told Spurs TV: “Yes, I think it’s minor. Maybe he was a little bit tired, but I think it’s not a big issue.”

He also confirmed the injuries in the rest of the squad are not major, but that the issues ruled them out of the clash with the Spanish champions.

He said: “Victor in the training session before Roma. I think it was the same problem as last season in his knee. Of course Tashan and then Kazaiah, Lamela of course that is minor, but they cannot be involved in the game.”

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