Tottenham’s hopes of overturning their Champions League first-leg deficit against RB Leipzig have suffered a major blow after Steven Bergwijn was ruled out of Tuesday’s match because of an ankle injury.
The £27million January signing pulled up at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley and will miss the game in Germany.
Losing Bergwijn is a huge setback for Spurs, who are already missing Harry Kane and Heung-min Son as they bid to claw back a 1-0 deficit in the last-16 tie. Bergwijn limped off the pitch in discussion with members of Tottenham’s medical staff at Turf Moor and was assessed over the weekend.
Jose Mourinho had hoped the 22-year-old would be fit to face RB Leipzig, but he did not train with the rest of the Spurs squad this morning and has been ruled out.
With the Dutchman missing, Mourinho will likely have to turn to Dele Alli to lead the line, knowing Tottenham must score in Germany to have any chance of progressing.
Alli has been used as a centre forward in Tottenham’s past three Premier League games, as well as the first tie against Leipzig.
Lucas Moura, Tottenham’s Champions League hero from last season, will also play a key role and should be fresh after coming on as a half-time substitute at Burnley.
Mourinho also has academy graduate Troy Parrott available, but he has been reluctant to use the 18-year-old and has suggested he is not ready.
Erik Lamela, meanwhile, is hopeful of starting again after coming through 78 minutes at Turf Moor on his first start since January.
