Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has added to Mauricio Pochettino’s selection headache ahead of the north London derby after suffering an ankle injury on international duty.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez confirmed that Vertonghen would not feature in Friday night’s friendly against Mexico, though it remains to be seen whether he will recover for the Red Devils’ subsequent game against Japan.
Were Vertonghen to miss that friendly on Nov. 14, Pochettino could find himself facing a serious dilemma ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Arsenal.
Martinez has offered an optimistic assessment of the 30-year-old’s current condition, saying: "Jan won’t be in the team tomorrow. He is suffering a little pain in the ankle, but it isn’t serious."
Vertonghen’s Tottenham and Belgium team-mate Toby Alderweireld suffered a hamstring injury in last month’s win over Real Madrid that ruled him out of international duty, while captain Hugo Lloris missed the France squad with a thigh strain.
Harry Winks is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the Emirates clash, though Spurs’ assessments of fellow England internationals Dele Alli and Harry Kane have been more positive.
Martinez also confirmed at his press conference ahead of the Mexico clash that Michy Batshuayi had returned to Chelsea after suffering a foot injury
