Tottenham have ruled Davinson Sanchez out with a thigh injury, while Serge Aurier will also miss the game but Erik Lamela has travelled with the squad
Wednesday 8 May 2019 19:00, UK
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen is set to wear a protective mask if he starts Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second-leg tie at Ajax.
Vertonghen injured himself during last week's first leg in a clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld and had to be substituted, after originally trying to play on.
Spurs said on their website: "Having returned to training, [Vertonghen] continues to be monitored and will wear a face mask to protect his nose if selected against his former club."
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino played down the injury on Tuesday.
"He did not suffer anything more than a cut on his nose," Pochettino said. "A lot of players keep playing with the same situation, it was not a big issue.
"If tomorrow he is fit, and we believe that we want to give [him] the possibility to play, I think he is ready to play. It is not a problem."
There was some bad news, however, with fellow defender Davinson Sanchez ruled out with a thigh injury picked up in the defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Harry Winks (groin) is also out, as is Serge Aurier, who has not travelled despite returning to training after suffering a hamstring injury.
Erik Lamela, who also recently returned to training after injuring his hamstring, has made the trip with the squad to Amsterdam and Spurs are also boosted by the return of Heung-Min Son from suspension.
Ajax are bidding to reach their first Champions League final for 23 years and will be favourites after Donny van de Beek's goal in north London last week.
Only one team of the 17 who have lost a Champions League semi-final, first leg at home have overturned the tie - when Ajax overhauled Panathinaikos in the second leg in 1995/96.
Pochettino said the situation should allow his side to play with more freedom in the Johan Cruyff Arena.
"The negative result in the first leg obviously makes it more difficult tomorrow, but the tie is still open," the Argentine said.
"We know we need to win and perform to our best. It's an exciting moment for us. We need to feel more freedom to play tomorrow, because we have nothing to lose."
Pochettino was in a playful mood and even suggested he would "go home" if Tottenham went on to win the Champions League - pricking up the ears of the assembled media
Asked to clarify, he said: "To win the Champions League with Tottenham, in this circumstance, maybe I need to think to do something different in the future."
