Toby Alderweireld won’t be out as long as was first feared or that’s what Mauricio Pochettino indicated. A scan was carried out yesterday with the news seemingly more positive:
“We believe it’s not a big issue. It’s a very heavy knock on his leg and now we wait for the result of the scan. It was this afternoon and we’ll see after what happened.”
There must be some grounds for optimism; I just hope it isn’t false hope. Eric Dier is the obvious replacement and he will be in the centre of the defence tonight in Leverkusen.
Son Heung-min is the centre of attention, returning to the club where ‘he made his name’. The press asked the obvious questions, he gave the obvious answer.
More of Saturday’s resilience will be needed tonight, without the laxness which allowed Albion to take the lead. This isn’t a ‘must-win’ game but I do think it’s a ‘must-not-lose’ if we want to progress to the next round. And that outcome is something we are eminently capable of achieving.