Premier League games are now going to come thick and fast for Tottenham Hotspur as they aim to qualify for the Champions League.
Saturday saw Ange Postecoglou’s side take three points from their game against Luton Town despite falling behind once again.
But they have a quick turnaround for their next clash which will see them take on West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The Hammers will come into the game looking to make a statement having capitulated against Newcastle United on the weekend.
However, Spurs will have an almost fully fit squad to choose from with Richarlison and Micky van de Ven recently returning to the match day squad.
Postecoglou spoke in Monday’s press conference from Hotspur Way about the fitness of his Brazilian striker who only featured for the final minutes against Luton.
He said: “He was much better after the game and he felt a lot better. He trained yesterday and he’ll train this afternoon. He feels good now.”
The only real injury issues Spurs are now carrying is to Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon, but these are both long-term absentees who haven’t featured much all season.
Postecoglou also said: “Yeah pretty much no different to the last game. Everyone got through the game unscathed. So no real change. Everyone is good.”
Postecoglou could make three changes for Hammers clash
Having only played five minutes at the end of the game on the weekend, it makes it incredibly difficult to see Richarlison uprooting the match-winner Heung-min Son through the middle.
However, one player who could be replaced in the starting XI is Dejan Kulusevski with the Sweden international failing to impress against the Hatters.
Journalist Alasdair Gold revealed Postecoglou’s frustrated reaction to the 23-year-old’s display at half-time.
He said: “There was a moment when, you could tell it was coming, as soon as Jarred Gillett the referee put the whistle to his lips and blew for half-time, Ange Postecoglou turned to Brennan Johnson, pointed to him essentially saying, ‘get ready you’re coming on.’ He’d seen enough, he’d had enough.”
Kulusevski’s replacement, Brennan Johnson, turned the game around with an assist and the cross for the equalising own goal.
On the back of his display, it will be almost impossible for Postecoglou to look past Johnson on Tuesday.
Another player who did not exactly dazzle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was Yves Bissouma.
The Mali midfielder played a big role in Luton’s opening goal of the afternoon as he failed to put in a meaningful challenge on Andros Townsend.
Rodrigo Bentancur is now said to have recovered from a broken toe and he looked bright when he came on. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him or even Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg replace Bissouma.
“Yeah, broken small toe. He has got nine others. You know, I don’t think anyone could question Rodrigo’s courage with what he’s had to deal with recently,” Postecoglou recently said on Bentancur.
Finally, Van de Ven could be a potential returnee to the starting XI on Tuesday after recovering from his hamstring injury.
Radu Dragusin kept his place against Luton and put in a solid display, but Postecoglou may want to return to his strongest back line for the game against their London rivals.
A busy schedule awaits Spurs now and rotating players could prove key to potentially avoiding further injuries and keeping players fit ahead of the run in.
Predicted Tottenham XI v West Ham (4-3-3): Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Sarr, Maddison, Werner, Son, Johnson