OPINION
Tottenham have had no luck with injuries recently, and they could be without Danny Rose for their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.
According to Sky Sports News, Rose missed Spurs’ training session yesterday ahead of the match, and with Ben Davies also sidelined, that could leave Mauricio Pochettino with something of a selection headache.
The obvious option is to push Jan Vertonghen out to left-back, but given the exuberance of the in-form Jadon Sancho, this could be a one way ticket to the experienced Belgian getting the runaround all night.
The alternative, and one that would represent something of a gamble, would be calling on young Kyle Walker-Peters to step in on the left side of defence.
Last time the academy graduate played on the left he endured a torrid afternoon against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Fourth Round – a performance that hit rock bottom when he punched a ball away to concede a penalty.
That afternoon was not a fair representation of his talents as a defender, however. Yes, he was off the pace, but when he is at his best he is a sharp and intelligent stopper with the ability to drive his side forward and pick a killer pass.
Against the relentless Sancho his youth could be a vital factor, as well as his capability to turn the teenager on his heels and make him chase back towards his own goal.
Spurs cannot afford to sit in at Wembley and hope for the best, and giving Walker-Peters the nod would ensure that they had the stamina and initiative to ask questions of Dortmund.