Sunday 4 August 2019 18:44, UK
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Dele Alli will miss the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season due to a hamstring injury, adding that he will be out "for a few weeks".
Alli was unavailable for selection ahead of their final pre-season match against Antonio Conte's Inter Milan.
It is the fourth hamstring problem he has suffered in three seasons and a thigh muscle strain also saw him sidelined for a lengthy spell in 2018/19.
Following Spurs' 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Inter on Sunday, Pochettino expressed his concern for Alli with the attacking midfielder suffering a similar problem last season.
"I don't know if the club communicate the time but I don't believe he is going to be ready for the start of the season," the Spurs boss said.
"It's the same area [of his hamstring]. Yes of course we are worried he is still so young.
"Just 23-years-old and many, many hamstring problems in the last few years. It's to pay attention to what is going on in his body but we are trying to help him.
"Think a minor injury, only a few weeks until he can be available again and be with the group."
The 23-year-old will miss Spurs' opening Premier League clash against newly-promoted Aston Villa on August 10.
He will be hoping to return for the games against Manchester City and Newcastle United later in August.
Defender Juan Foyth is also unavailable for the start of Tottenham's Premier League campaign due to an ankle injury.
Pochettino said: "With Juan I think the medical staff are going to update in the next few days."
