Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has put out a fairly radical starting XI for the Premier League game against Burnley.
Ben Davies is playing as a centre-back alongside Toby Alderweireld, which led to many fans questioning where Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen are.
That was answered by ESPN journalist Ben Pearce ahead of kick-off, who said that Dier had a virus and Vertonghen a thigh injury.
#thfc Dier's got a virus. Vertonghen has a thigh injury.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) December 15, 2018
OPINION
Tottenham are lucky that they’re not playing a team with more of an attacking threat than Burnley today. And, with all respect to Sean Dyche’s men, Spurs should still have enough to come away with the three points at Wembley this afternoon. Pochettino is also lucky that Kieran Trippier is back to play on the flanks with Danny Rose, after it was said he was on an individual training programme earlier in the week. He’s needed today. Elsewhere, Oliver Skipp has been given his full debut for the senior team, with Christian Eriksen and Son-heung Min rested. Successful teams live or die by the strength of their squads in the winter. Pochettino is testing his to his limits today and fans will be hoping that the injury suffered by Vertonghen isn’t a serious one. Three points today though will keep Tottenham’s best start to a Premier League season going and faintly in touch with league leaders Man City, who have already won today, beating Everton 3-1.