LEVERKUSEN -- Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful that Toby Alderweired's injury is not "a big issue," but he has confidence in Eric Dier to deputise for the Belgian in Tuesday's "decisive" Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen.
Alderweireld was stretched off in Saturday's 1-1 draw at West Brom and he underwent a scan to his right leg on Monday. He has remained in London with Harry Kane, who has returned to light training, and the rested Kyle Walker.
"We don't have the result from the scan but we believe it's not a big issue," Spurs manager Pochettino said in Germany.
He received a very heavy knock on his leg and now we need to wait for the result. He took the scan this afternoon. We'll see after what happens. Only Harry is still out."
Pochettino later told Spurs TV that "we hope it's not a big problem for the next week," suggesting Alderweired could return in time to face Leicester City in 10 days.
The manager also said it would be "difficult" for U.S. youth international Cameron Carter-Vickers, 18, to start at the BayArena, and Dier is expected to partner Jan Vertonghen at centre-back, or possibly play right-back if Kevin Wimmer starts in the centre.
The England international, 22, has competition for his place in midfield from Victor Wanyama and faced criticism for a sloppy performance in the World Cup qualifier in Slovenia last week, but Pochettino said: "The important thing is we trust him.
"It's not important the position he'll play tomorrow -- as a midfielder, a centre-back or a full-back, we believe in him and trust him. We trust his person, his skills and for me Eric is a player who can develop his game in different positions.
"It's always important in football, the squad -- 25 players. Maybe it's the same topic but we believe it's important. The competition between them is important. That's the power of the team. Everyone believes they can play and fight for his place in the starting XI in different competition.
"If we want to achieve big things, it's important to keep that mentality in our squad."
Tottenham have three points from their opening two Champions League group matches after losing to Monaco at Wembley and winning at CSKA Moscow last month, and Pochettino believes the double-header with Leverkusen will determined their chances of qualification.
"It's important. We must win," he said. "If we want to go to the next round this is key to take three points from this game and to play at Wembley the same way. The next two games against Leverkusen for us hold the key to the possibility of going to the next round."
Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt praised Pochettino and his team earlier on Monday and the Spurs manager returned the compliment.
"I admire him a lot. I liked him at Salzburg and here at Leverkusen," he said. "I don't know him but I saw a lot of games for him and I like his philosophy and the way his team play.
"It will be an exciting game, good to see and watch because both teams go forward with energy. It will be an exciting game. I am excited to meet him."