Jose Mourinho's Tottenham plans for the Europa League knockout phase will soon become clear.
Set to come up against Wolfsberger AC in the first leg of their Round of 32 clash on Thursday, February 18, the fact we are so close to European competition returning means that clubs have to make decisions over their squads.
As the group phase was done and dusted back in December, teams are now allowed to register a maximum of three new players for the latter stages of the competition.
However, the deadline to make changes is fast approaching as it is at 11pm this evening (Tuesday, February 2).
Although Tottenham didn't make any signings in the January transfer window, one player they can now register for the knockout phase of the Europa League is Joe Rodon.
Signed from Swansea City in October, the arrival of the Welshman was announced after the group stage registration deadline and he subsequently had to watch on from the stands as the team topped Group J.
Now it isn't so straightforward in terms of bringing Rodon into the squad as he is classed as a non-homegrown player due to his academy years in Wales.
UEFA rules state that team's can only register a maximum of 17 foreign players in their squads and the Lilywhites are already at their limit.
Rodon wasn't the only player to miss out on the group stage as Paulo Gazzaniga and Gedson Fernandes, who have both since departed, were left out of Mourinho's plans completely.
So, that means one of Tottenham's 17 non-homegrown stars would have to drop out of their Europa League squad just so Rodon, who has started the last three Premier League games, can be registered.
However, a glance at that list (which can be seen below) and it's hard to see who drops out as all have been used in the competition thus far.
What makes life difficult for Spurs when it comes to naming a European squad is that Matt Doherty, Ben Davies and Rodon are not considered association-trained players in European competition due to their academy years outside of England but in the Premier League they are seen as homegrown.
Tottenham defender Eric Dier is also in a similar situation after his time in the Sporting CP academy as a youngster before his move to N17 in 2014.
As Mauricio Pochettino previously had to leave the likes of Juan Foyth, Vincent Janssen and Erik Lamela out of his Champions League squad, Mourinho now has a big decision to make over Rodon ahead of the deadline.
Here are Tottenham's current 17 foreign players in their Europa League squad:
Hugo Lloris
Serge Aurier
Matt Doherty
Toby Alderweireld
Eric Dier
Davinson Sanchez
Ben Davies
Sergio Reguilon
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Moussa Sissoko
Giovani Lo Celso
Tanguy Ndombele
Steven Bergwijn
Erik Lamela
Lucas Moura
Son Heung-min
Carlos Vinicius
