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Tottenham midfielder set to miss north London derby against Arsenal
MOUSA DEMBELE is a major doubt for Tottenham’s crunch north London derby clash with rivals Arsenal.
Mousa Dembele is a major doubt for Tottenham's clash with Arsenal
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Dembele faces two weeks on the sidelines after a groin problem forced him off at half-time of Spurs’ 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Palace on Sunday.
The Belgian midfield ace could now miss crucial league games against Swansea, West Ham and the Gunners - on March 5 - as well as tomorrow night’s Europa League last-32 date with Fiorentina.
Harry Kane is another that will be missing tomorrow – but the England striker should return on Sunday to face Swansea
Kane played through the pain after a stray elbow broke his nose in the Palace defeat.
But he saw a specialist yesterday and will return to action in a protective mask as Spurs – just two points behind league leaders Leicester – hunt title glory.
“Harry will be available for Sunday [to face Swansea],” confirmed Pochettino.
“We expect and hope he’s available and today he wasn’t here because he saw the specialist.
“Harry’s medical advice is that it’s impossible for him to play tomorrow - he finished the game against Palace with a broken nose and he needed to fix the problem today.
Tottenham club fact file
“Mousa, we expect maybe longer – ten days or two weeks. It’s not a big issue, similar as the one he picked up against Watford.
“It’s a small problem but it’s in a very bad moment with the games we have coming up.”
However, Pochettino confirmed goalkeeper and skipper Hugo Lloris is available to face Fiorentina, who held Spurs to a 1-1 draw in the first leg a week ago.
Lloris injured his shoulder in the 2-1 win at Manchester City ten days ago, but Pochettino added: "The good news in Hugo is back with the group and available."
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