Tottenham without Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld for Premier League return against Crystal Palace

Mauricio Pochettino reveals double injury blow after Champions League triumph over Real Madrid

Darren Witcoop
Friday 03 November 2017 15:16 GMT
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Toby Alderweireld limped out of the victory over Real Madrid
Toby Alderweireld limped out of the victory over Real Madrid (Getty)

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Tottenham have been dealt a double injury blow with Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld ruled out of Sunday's game with Crystal Palace.

Lloris (groin) and Alderweireld (hamstring) sustained the injuries in Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid.

Back-up Michel Vorm will deputise for Lloris, who makes his first league start of the season.

“They are having scans this afternoon and tomorrow we will have a better idea,” said Pochettino.

“We must wait for them to assessed by the doctor.”

The injury setbacks have taken the gloss off Spurs' memorable midweek win. But Pochettino insists his players will remain grounded when they face the Premier League's bottom side at Wembley.

“We must be focused, we must use the result to lift us and build confidence,” he said.

“But we understand we must work hard to get another good result on Sunday. It's always difficult to play Wednesday to Sunday. The effort was massive.

“We must be ready, very tough game, Crystal Palace have a very good team. They struggled from the beginning of the season.

“They changed manager but we know Roy Hodgson very well. We had a good relationship with him from the national team, they are always organised. It will demand a lot of energy.

Lloris will miss the international break with injury
Lloris will miss the international break with injury (Getty)

“It's true the challenge now is to be focused, massive opportunity to forget the Real Madrid game. Crystal Palace is another final for us. After out defeat against Man United, it's so important to win again in Premier League.

"We know very well in football, we must keep feet on the grass. All the games are so important and tough. You cannot be relaxed when you compete in this game. The players are happy of course.

"I'm very conscious that the game on Sunday is very important, so important for us to get the three points. We must fight, give our best. Focus is so important."

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