Football
Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham Correspondent 8y

Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris could miss two games - Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino says Hugo Lloris is likely to miss Tottenham's next two matches against Fiorentina and Crystal Palace after suffering a shoulder injury in the dying moments of Sunday's 2-1 win at Manchester City.

The France goalkeeper will miss Thursday's Europa League last-32 first leg at Fiorentina on Thursday and is expected to sit out Sunday's FA Cup fifth round clash against the Eagles.

Lloris was unlikely to face Palace anyway because backup goalkeeper Michel Vorm has been on domestic cup duty this season, but Pochettino admitted Lloris' absence will be felt.

"It is not a big, big issue,'' he said at his prematch press conference.

"It is a very small injury. It will always impact, Hugo is our captain and it is a very important period for us but how it is important, we know now we have a squad and we believe that Michel is a very good, top goalkeeper too, and we believe in him and trust in him.

"It is true it is a big impact but in one week we expect and hope he is available to start to play again.''

Lloris picked up the injury turning away a Sergio Aguero cross, which left Tottenham second in the Premier League.

"The last action of the game against Manchester City, Hugo hurt his shoulder and he is out for tomorrow and for Sunday too," Pochettino explained.

"We need to assess him during the week if he can be available for next Thursday but for sure, tomorrow and next Sunday he is out."

Luke McGee, the 20-year-old academy graduate, is expected to be on the bench for Spurs' next two games, with Lloris likely to return for the second leg against Fiorentina on Thursday week.

Spurs captain Lloris played in all six of Spurs' Europa League group matches and last missed a Premier League game on the opening day of the season, when Vorm deputised in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

The 29-year-old has helped Spurs to the best defensive record in the league so far this term.

Lloris joins long-term absentees Jan Vertonghen and Clinton Njie on the sidelines but youngsters Joshua Onomah and Cameron Carter-Vickers, both 18, have travelled to Florence.

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