Eric Dier, Erik Lamela back to Tottenham squad

Tottenham Hotspur’s English defender Eric Dier (2nd R) and teammates take part in a training session at Tottenham Hotspur’s Enfield Training Centre, north London, on February 12, 2019 on the eve of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match against Dortmund. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Danny Rose were not involved in Tottenham’s open training session as Mauricio Pochettino’s squad completed their preparations for their Champions League game with Borussia Dortmund.

Kane and Alli are both making quick returns from respective ankle and hamstring injuries, which raised hopes they could be involved in the last-16 first leg at Wembley.

But neither were on the field as Spurs trained at Hotspur Way, leaving Mauricio Pochettino without two of his main attacking threats against the Bundesliga leaders. 

Rose was also absent after the left-back came off against Newcastle at the weekend. Pochettino will confirm whether he will be fit at his press conference later yesterday.

Both Eric Dier and Erik Lamela have bolstered the squad after overcoming their recent injury woes.

Players were put through a light session yesterday morning as they hone their preparations for the highly-anticipated fixture. 

Spurs are looking to go one step further in the European competition than they managed last year when they were beaten in the last-16 by Juventus.
Captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has already called on supporters to rally behind the team amid slumping attendances at Wembley.

The recent home game against Watford saw less than 30,000 turn up as supporters become disgruntled with the delayed move to the new White Hart Lane.
The attendance in the 3-1 victory over Leicester was back up beyond 44,000 but over 82,000 attended when Tottenham hosted Barcelona in the Champions League earlier in the season.

Lloris said: ‘We need the stadium to push, to help us. In some days it’s difficult to deal with Wembley but hopefully in this big game we’ll receive this help from the crowd.’ 

Spurs were handed a boost on Monday night though when it was announced Dortmund captain Marco Reus will miss the first-leg due to a thigh injury.

Reus has been Dortmund’s best player this season, scoring 13 goals and setting up nine more in 19 Bundesliga games, but he injured a thigh muscle last Tuesday in a German Cup loss. 

The 18-year-old Jadon Sancho, who starred in Reus’ absence against Hoffenheim, will be expected to fill in again on his return to London.