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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jack Rathborn

Jose Mourinho opens door to Dele Alli return in Tottenham’s FA Cup tie against Everton

Photograph: Getty

Dele Alli is in contention to make the bench for Tottenham in their FA Cup fifth round tie against Everton.

Spurs blocked a loan move for the 24-year-old in January, with Paris Saint-Germain registering some interest in the midfielder.

And while Mourinho has not seen eye to eye with Alli this season, his recent absence has been down to a tendon injury.

But Mourinho has opened the door for Alli to return for Spurs at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho set to be given time at Tottenham but ‘pressure growing’ after Chelsea loss

"Dele trained yesterday and well," Mourinho said. "Long time away. Can he play tomorrow? I don't know.

"Nothing changed. He's not injured, he can train with the team. He went through a process of not training and trained with the sports science people and then jumped to team-work which he did on Monday for the first time.

"Nothing changed, what maybe changed is the speculation around him because in this moment everybody knows that he's a Tottenham player and he doesn't go to any place. So probably the end of the speculation and will be end the questions.

"He can train and he can try to help the team because this is what we want. It's what we need. We need players to help the team.

"Hopefully he can do that. In normal situation he wouldn't even be considered for Everton but with the injuries we have with so many matches we have, maybe we have to accelerate his process and maybe we can.

"But of course I want him to be fully on board and to agree and depends on his feelings. But if he can be on the bench (on Wednesday) and to come for 10 or 15 minutes to help the team that would be good for us."

Elsewhere, Spurs will likely be without Serge Aurier, who is struggling with a calf injury sustained in the 2-0 victory over West Brom.

While Sergio Reguilon (muscle) and Giovani Lo Celso (hamstring) look likely to remain out.

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