Tottenham had five players missing from their line-up to face Motherwell in their first friendly of the World Cup break on Friday afternoon.
Spurs fans might have expected to see a stronger squad named to face the Scottish Premiership side at their Hotspur Way training complex in Enfield on Friday. However, with Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur both out with injuries suffered in Qatar, Antonio Conte's line-up was also missing Ryan Sessegnon, Emerson Royal, Lucas Moura, Clement Lenglet and goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
football.london understands that Sessegnon is back working on the grass but not with the group following his injury against Nottingham Forest last month in the Carabao Cup so this match has come a little early in his return to training. The other four players are believed to have suffered various minor knocks in training in recent days so their absence from the match is precautionary.
READ MORE: Tottenham vs Motherwell LIVE: Confirmed team news as Spence, Sayers, Kulusevski and Bryan start
That means a number of youngsters get their chance including Charlie Sayers in defence, Brandon Austin in goal and versatile midfielder Harvey White in what looks like it could be a false nine role for him between Dejan Kulusevski and Bryan Gil.
Djed Spence also gets a start at right wing-back with Matt Doherty on the left and the bench is full of talented academy youngsters including midfielder Alfie Devine, defender Alfie Dorrington and 17-year-old striker Will Lankshear, who joined from Sheffield United in the summer in a deal that could eventually be worth £2.5m and has scored seven goals in 11 games since.
Tottenham also host Ligue 1 side Nice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 21, just five days before their Boxing Day Premier League return against Brentford.
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