Football
Ben Pearce, Tottenham correspondent 6y

Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen to miss Huddersfield match

Tottenham Hotspur will be without Christian Eriksen for Saturday's trip to Huddersfield, while goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris will be assessed ahead of the match.

Midfielder Eriksen missed Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory over Watford, with manager Mauricio Pochettino saying he had "started to feel a small problem in his abdomen" after the win at Brighton.

Lloris has missed Spurs' last five matches, having suffered a thigh injury during the 3-0 victory at Manchester United last month, but he is close to a return.

"We need to assess him tomorrow," Pochettino said. "He's doing very well. The decision will be tomorrow if he will be available to play against Huddersfield.

"If not, we're going to wait until Wednesday. Michel [Vorm, Spurs' injured second-choice keeper] is going to be out."

No. 3 keeper Paulo Gazzaniga has had to wait for opportunities since joining Spurs from Southampton last summer but has started the last two matches and starred in the penalty shootout win over Watford.

"That's why we signed him," Pochettino said. "It's so important to have goalkeepers that can play and perform the way Paulo does.

"It's a difficult mental situation for the keepers that aren't playing too much, but now you can see the job and they can pay back all the work in the past."

Asked who would be on the bench if Vorm is available for the Champions League game against Barcelona next week, Pochettino said: "I don't believe Michel will be available on Wednesday. But when that situation happens you are going to see my decision, no worries."

Pochettino stressed that, despite the allure of next week's Barcelona game, he and the players were fully focused on Saturday's challenge against Huddersfield.

"For us, we always take the game we have ahead and try to take the best decision to win," he said. "When you are at Tottenham you must win.

"Look, against Watford, Liverpool, Inter Milan we lost and there was a lot of criticism, like it was the end of the world. You know if you don't win, the tsunami or storm is going to come."

Erik Lamela has scored three goals in his last four matches, and the manager was optimistic that he could have his best season at the club.

"I think he deserves it," he said. "He's suffered a lot in five years here. He's had a few long injuries that kept him away from the pitches."

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