Jose Mourinho has explained why Tottenham Hotspur duo Gareth Bale and Dele Alli were not selected in his starting XI to face West Ham In the Premier League on Sunday.
Bale bagged a goal and an assist during an hour on the pitch in the Europa League round of 32 first leg match against Wolfsberger in Budapest on Thursday night.
Alli also impressed as he got 78 minutes in the match against the Austrian side but neither player was named in Mourinho's starting XI for the match at West Ham three days later.
"[Gareth is] not yet ready to start two matches in three days," the Tottenham boss told Sky Sports.
"The same as Dele for different reasons. For Dele because he was injured and out of the team for more than a month, not even training.
"Gareth because of his evolution. This is part of his evolution. No doubt that the performance was good and no doubt that I believe sooner rather than later he will be ready to play more than he is now."
Mourinho was asked this was a must-win match for his Tottenham side in their chase for the top four.
"I'm not looking to the table. I'm looking to the game and every game is a must win," he said.
"That's how we look at it and that's our intention, to win the match. We know they are playing well.
"They're getting results and their self-esteem and confidence are high but we come here to win."
