Mauricio Pochettino has placed his faith in Kyle Walker-Peters ahead of Tottenham’s must-win Champions League clash against Barcelona.
The Spurs boss is facing a major selection headache at right-back ahead of the trip to the Nou Camp with both Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier doubts for the final group match.
England full-back Trippier is not expected to travel having suffered a recurrence of a groin injury with Aurier forced off late on in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Leicester.
Walker-Peters replaced the Ivory Coast international for the final 12 minutes of that match in what was his first league appearance of the season.
While Lionel Messi could be rested midweek with Barcelona’s place as group winners already secured, Walker-Peters could still be tasked with dealing with the threat of Ousmane Dembele, who has two goals and three assists in his last four appearances for the Spanish champions.
But Pochettino insists he has no qualms in starting the youngster.
“The squad is the most important. Today Kyle Walker-Peters had the responsibility to play. If they [Trippier and Aurier] are not ready Kyle is going to play,” Pochettino told BT Sport.
“He is a great player, younger, but he is going to give his best if we need to play with him.”
